The Philippines asserted basketball supremacy in the Southeast Asian region once more, as Gilas Pilipinas clobbered Indonesia, 94-55, en route to the 2017 SEA Games gold medal, Saturday night at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Philippines has now won its 18th gold medal in men’s basketball, and has yet to lose a SEA Games match-up since October 16, 1997. Furthermore, the win improves the country’s gold medal tally in this year’s biennial meet to 18.
Moreover, Kiefer Ravena, who scored seven markers in the victory, broke Rommel Adducul’s 16-year record in the regional biennial tournament by winning his fourth SEA Games gold.
Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. and Kevin Ferrer won their third gold, while Troy Rosario, Baser Amer, and Almond Vosotros bag their second SEAG gold medals. Debutants Kobe Paras, Raymar Jose, Von Pessumal, Mike Tolomia, Christian Standhardinger, and Carl Cruz completed this year’s batch.
Tolomia top-billed the Nationals’ attack with 20 points — 11 coming from the second quarter alone — spiked by five triples. The 19-year-old Paras put on a show once more, finishing with 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the floor.
All thanks to their pressing defense, the Indonesians did a commendable job of slowing the pace in the game’s opening salvo, even taking a slim 13-12 cushion after forward Arki Wisnu’s lay-up, plus the foul, with 3:30 on the clock.
But Gilas found answers come the next period. With Paras’ impact on both ends, plus Tolomia’s scorching hot offense that saw him nail three treys, the Filipinos erupted for 26 second quarter points to end the first half in command, 45-27.
From there, it was all about the Filipinos, as they left the Indonesians without any answer. With everything in sync, Gilas even led by as much as 39, 94-55, after Kiefer Ravena’s step-back triple with 1:35 left — the shot that sealed the deal.
Jose scored 12 points, while the Filipino-German Standhardinger added 11 markers for Gilas. Parks, Jr. scored just two — both from freebies — but made his presence felt strongly as he garnered 12 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Diftha Pratama and Sandy Kurniawan scored 10 points apiece for Indonesia, who has now won their sixth SEAG silver medal.
Gilas shot 46 percent from the floor, and their ball movement stood out as they racked up 24 assists.
And the Philippines is planning to be rude hosts come the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The Scores:
Gilas Pilipinas (94) – Tolomia 20, Paras 14, Jose 12, Standhardinger 11, Rosario 8, Ravena 7, Cruz 6, Ferrer 5, Pessumal 5, Amer 4, Parks, Jr. 2, Vosotros 0.
Indonesia (55) – Pratama 10, Kurniawan 10, Wisnu 6, Enguio 5, Sitepu 4, Dhyaksa 4, Nugroho 4, Kosasih 4, Wuysang 2, Grahita 2, Sitorus 2, Lakudu 2.
Quarterscores: 19-15, 45-27, 67-38, 94-55.
