Gilas PH in final
Gilas Pilipinas prevented Singapore’s comeback attempt in the fourth quarter to secure a 68-60 semifinal victory yesterday and advance to the gold medal game in the men’s basketball competition of the Southeast Asian Games at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Mike Tolomia, Christian Standhardinger and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. made key baskets in the final five minutes, giving Gilas the victory after Singapore closed within five on two occasions after being down by a high of 15. Parks hit a jumper and Standhardinger scored inside before Tolomia unloaded a rightelbow three that put Gilas ahead, 60-48, with 4:44 remaining in the fourth quarter, keeping the Singaporeans from getting closer. Gilas will face either Thailand or Indonesia in tonight’s finals set at 6 p.m. for a chance at winning an 11 straight gold medal and 17th overall. Thailand and Indonesia were playing at presstime in the other semifinal match. The Jong Uichico-coached Gilas squad is bracing for a tough encounter with either country, particularly the Thais who gave them a scare behind Thai-American guard Tyler Lamb before securing an 81-74 win in the Group A opener Sunday.
Indonesia, on the other hand, topped Group B by winning all four games.
Troy Rosario scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Standhardinger produced 13 points and 11 rebounds and Tolomia added 10 for Gilas.
Meanwhile, Perlas Pilipinas clobbered Vietnam, 118-44, to end its women’s basketball campaign with a 4-2 record. The female dribblers of coach Pat Aquino remain in the hunt for a bronze medal, depending on the outcome of the remaining matches of Thailand and Indonesia.
Malaysia is all but assured of taking the gold after winning all five games, including Wednesday’s 60-56 victory over Perlas that ended the Philippines’ gold medal chances.
The Philippines, on the other hand, will have to go through defending champion Thailand after losing to Vietnam, 26-24, 25-12, 25-23, in women’s volleyball.
A collection of top spikers back home, the Filipinas lost a close first set, got badly outplayed in the second and wasted the lead in the third to drop to their first defeat in two games.
The Filipinas and the Thais clash in the crossover semifinals at 10:30 a.m. at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center.
The other semifinal pits Indonesia against Vietnam.
After an easy win over Malaysia Thursday, the Filipinas failed to handle the Vietnamese who rode on Tran Thi Thanh Thuy’s 19 points to avenge their defeat in Manila.
Johann Chua defeated Malaysian Muhd Almie to complete the semifinal cast in the men’s 9-ball pool singles where he is expected to face Carlo Biado in the final.
Defending champion Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit are also in the Last 4 and face separate opponents on Saturday.
Basil Hassan, the only other Filipino in action in the billiards event, went down to Issara K. of Thailand, 4-1, in the men’s snooker singles.
In lawn bowls, Rodel Labayo, Hommer Mercado and Christopher Dagpin took a 20-13 defeat at the hands of Anan Naksaray, Wattana K. and Thanakrit T. of Thailand in the battle for the bronze medal.
In table tennis, the Philippines split its assignment in the team event.
The Filipinas shut out Myanmar, 3-0, but fell to Malaysia, 3-1.
In sepak takraw, the Philippines lost to Myanmar, 2-1, in men’s doubles. (With reports from Rey Bancod)