Gilas Pilipinas suffered their first loss in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball meet after bowing to a hot-shooting Cambodia, 79-68, Thursday night at a packed Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh.
The Filipino cagers actually scored the game’s first bucket courtesy of Christian Standhardinger, but it would be the only time they would lead as the hosts quickly found their groove on the way to their second win in as many outings.
Standhardinger finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Philippines, who fell to second in the Group B standings with a 1-1 record.
Cambodia rose to 2-0 much to the delight of the home crowd, but not before a heated commotion postgame as the Gilas coaches reportedly got offended by the late timeout called by opposing mentor Harry Savaya.
Savaya sued for time shortly after CJ Perez committed a turnover with only 20 seconds left to play and his side leading 78-68, and counterpart Chot Reyes was seen on camera in total disappointment, questioning the timeout.
Little pleasantries were exchanged at center court over what happened as some members of the Gilas staff headed straight to the dugout.
Savaya and his team gathered at center court afterward to acknowledge their fans after scoring arguably the program’s biggest feat to date.
Five of only seven players utilized hit double-digit scoring in the win, with Darrin Dorsey top-billing for the import-laden crew with 22 points.
Sayeed Pridgett finished with 17 points. Oscar Lopes notched a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, with five assists and a steal.
The frontcourt tandem of Brandon Peterson and Darius Henderson, meanwhile, produced identical numbers of 11 markers and nine boards.
Cambodia sank a total of 12 three-pointers in the convincing victory that saw it lead by as many as 21 points, 61-40, during the third canto.
They blew out a Gilas side that played without Calvin Oftana, who reportedly suffered a Grade 2 calf strain in their opening day win versus Malaysia.
Chris Newsome had 11 points while Justin Brownlee added 10 and five in the loss, where they made just five of their 20 attempts from deep.
As tough as the loss was, Gilas can still make it to the crossover semifinals, needing to clinch the no. 2 seed in their group to be able to do so.
The Philippines could boost its chances with a win against the 0-2 Singapore on Saturday at 2 p.m. Manila time.
The Scores:
Cambodia (79) – Dorsey 22, Pridgett 17, Lopes 13, Peterson 11, Henderson 11, Hoeup 3, Morgan 2.
Philippines (68) – Standhardinger 14, Newsome 11, Brownlee 10, Perez 9, Tolentino 5, Phillips 4, Lastimosa 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Lassiter 4, Amos 3, Ross 0.
Quarterscores: 26-14, 47-31, 66-47, 79-68.
