Chitchai Ananti. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Thailand took advantage of Malaysia’s foul-riddled debut to score a 74-67 victory and start its 2017 Seaba Championship campaign Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Chitchai Ananti carried the Thais with 24 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, but had to leave the game with 3:23 left to play after hurting his left leg on a rebound play.
Nattakarn Muangboon chipped in 12 markers and seven boards, while Patiphan Klahan got a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Thailand made the most of Malaysia’s 34 fouls, going 29-of-43 from the charity stripe, 10 of which coming in the third quarter where the Thais finally zoomed ahead, 55-49.
Vincent Choong still tried to bring the Malays back from an eight-point deficit, 68-56, as he drilled a trey with 58.4 ticks left to cut the deficit to three, 68-65.
However, free throws once again haunted them as Kannut Samerjai, Sukhdave Ghogar, and Muangboon nailed the insurance freebies to pull off the win in the end game.
Choo Wei Hong topped Malaysia with 12 points, while Liaw Chee Huei got 10 markers and five rebounds in the loss.
The scores:
THAILAND 74 – Ananti 24, Muangboon 12, P. Klahan 11, Ghogar 9, Chanthachon 8, Samerjai 6, Sunthonsiri 2, Dasom 2, Jaisanuk 0, C. Klahan 0.
MALAYSIA 67 – Choo 12, Liaw 10, Heng 8, Choong 7, Mak 7, Teo 6, Ong 6, Chan 4, Ting 4, Ang 3, Chin 0, Liew 0.
Quarters: 15-25, 36-41, 55-49, 74-67.