Through every challenge — from flip-flopping eligibility rules to injury setbacks and last-minute roster changes — Gilas Pilipinas rose above the chaos, steadying itself when it mattered most to reaffirm the Philippines as the undisputed standard of Southeast Asian basketball.
The Philippines denied host nation Thailand a historic breakthrough, claiming a 70-64 victory to successfully defend the gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Friday evening, December 19, inside the hostile Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
Fueled by Jamie Malonzo’s breakout performance in the second half — along with solid contributions from Matthew Wright, Thirdy Ravena, and Cedrick Manzano — Gilas overcame a sluggish start to secure a record-extending 20th Games gold medal.
Beyond cementing their status as the winningest men’s basketball team in the region, the triumph also marked Gilas’ second consecutive SEA Games gold, following their championship run in Cambodia in 2023.
(C) POC Pool
“It’s really a great feeling. I’m really proud of the team, and I am happy for the Filipino people who followed the team and wanted them to win so badly. This entire experience has been a challenge for me, starting back in June and July when we tried to form the first team,” Philippines head coach Norman Black said.
Eager to atone for a nine-point halftime deficit, Gilas leaned on a clinical outing from Malonzo in the third frame. He scored 11 of the Philippines’ 23 points while the defense held Thailand to just 10 markers, to enter the payoff period with a 52-48 advantage.
The Thai dribblers quickly tied things up at 52-all in the early goings of the fourth quarter, but Malonzo joined forces with Ravena, Manzano, and Wright for a decisive 15-3 run — punctuated by a triple and an inside hit from the former Barangay Ginebra forward — to erect a game-high 12-point, 67-55 cushion with 4:15 left.
However, eerily similar to their semifinal win over Indonesia, Gilas needed to overcome Thailand’s final comeback attempt.
Three free throws from Nakorn Jaisanuk capped a 9-1 run to cut the lead to 68-64 with 47.8 seconds remaining. But a crucial offensive rebound by Bobby Ray Parks Jr., two free throws misses by Frederick Lish, and dagger free throws from Robert Bolick sealed the game’s final scoreline.
Malonzo delivered a game-high 17-point performance built on 7-of-12 shooting alongside 12 rebounds, five steals, and three assists.
After the Gilas Women’s team also overcame Thailand to reclaim their title, the Philippines completed a golden double in the 5-on-5 basketball tournaments for the first time since 2021.
Wright also came up big for Gilas with 14 points on 3-of-6 shooting from three-point territory with three rebounds. Bolick supplied an all-around effort of 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Dalph Panopio added nine points, while Poy Erram finished with eight points, six rebounds, and one steal.
(C) POC Pool
Meanwhile, Thailand’s pursuit of its first-ever SEA Games gold in men’s 5-on-5 basketball came to a halt, settling for silver and reaching the podium for the fifth consecutive edition.
Chanatip Jakrawan paced the Thai squad with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals. Emmanuel Ejesu also scored 13 points on top of eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Chatpol Chungyampin provided eight points and two rebounds, while Ibrahim Diaby contributed seven points, two rebounds, and one block. Lish, Jaisanuk, and Attapong Leelaphipatkul chipped in six points each in the losing effort.
Indonesia, on the other hand, secured the bronze with an 80-68 victory over Malaysia earlier today.
The Scores:
Philippines (70) – Malonzo 17, Wright 14, Bolick 10, Panopio 9, Erram 8, Ravena 5, Manzano 4, Parks 3, Tratter 0, Chua 0, Pessumal 0.
Thailand (64) – Jakrawan 13, Ejesu 13, Chungyampin 8, Diaby 7, Leelaphipatkul 6, Lush 6, Jaisanuk 6, Morgan 5, Thongpool 0, Jiamsawasd 0.
Quarterscores: 17-22, 29-38, 52-48, 70-64.
