SEA Games: Belo leads Philippines’ 50-point rout of Cambodia

MANILA, Philippines—After a slow start in a win over Singapore, the Philippines broke the game wide open in the second quarter to rip Cambodia, 107-57, in the men’s basketball tournament of the 27th Southeast Asian Games Tuesday at the Zeya-thiri Stadium in Myanmar.

Far Eastern University forward Mark Belo led Sinag Pilipinas’ beatdown with 17 points on seven-of-nine shooting from the field in just 16 minutes off-the-bench.

The Nationals, who had a relatively hard time in an 88-75 win over Singapore, took control in the pivotal second period as they built a double-digit advantage, 33-19, on back-to-back triples by Kevin Ferrer with 7:53 remaining.

Showing no signs of letup, the Philippines continued its torrid play in the second half as it padded onto its already imposing lead.

Ronald Pascual added 16 points on four-of-five shooting from deep with his final trey making it, 107-53, with 1:13 left.

The overmatched Cambodians relied heavily on Anthony Dar, who produced 27 points but needed 31 attempts and missed 21 of it.

Two-time UAAP MVP Ray Parks had 10 points, 11 rebounds and five assists while Naturalized center Marcus Douthit chipped in six points and six rebounds.

Douthit, who pledged P500 for every point and rebound he would log throughout his SEA Games stint, had 14 points and 10 rebounds against Singapore and now has a total of P18,000 pledge to the victims of Typhoon “Yolanda.”

Belo has been Sinag’s most consistent player so far after notching 16 points and 10 boards against the Singapore.

The Philippines made 12 out of its 25 attempts from long range while Cambodia went just nine-of-41 from that distance.

The Cambodians committed only 11 miscues, six fewer than the Filipinos, but the Philippines was still able to pounce on Cambodia’s errors with 23 turnover points.

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