The gold medal of the 30th Southeast Asian Games 3×3 men’s basketball competition is now well within reach.
Gilas Pilipinas Men’s 3×3 muscled their to the championship of the three-a-side event in the biennial meet, drubbing Thailand, 21-11, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Jason Perkins was having his way against the Thais down low. He scored on an under-basket stab plus the harm, giving the Philippines a commanding 16-6 cushion.
Not long after that, the tricolor squad sat on an 18-8 cushion, before Mo Tautuaa cleaned up his mess with a putback, pushing the lead to 19. He then splashed one from beyond the arc to formally punch their tickets to the Finals.
Perkins top-billed with seven points, while Tautuaa chimed in six. CJ Perez and Chris Newsome, who both treated the crowd with some jaw-dropping moves, added five and three, respectively.
The Philippines shall face the victor between Vietnam and Indonesia in the championship bout.