Thailand clinches 3rd place, holds off Singapore

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Thailand secured third place after a 67-57 win over Singapore in the 2017 Seaba Championship Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After going scoreless in a lopsided loss to the Philippines on Tuesday, Chitchai Ananti bounced back with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field that went with three assists and two rebounds.

Kannut Samerjai added 15 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Patiphan Klahan posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Thais.

Engaged in a close contest in the first half, Thailand pulled away in the third quarter behind Ananti, who was largely responsible for the Thais taking a 48-36 lead with 6:47 left in the pivotal period.

Ananti, though, had to be subbed out at the 9:44 mark of the fourth quarter after getting hit in the ribs. Singapore took advantage of Ananti’s absence as it trimmed the lead down to five, 59-54.

Fortunately for Thailand, Samerjai delivered down the stretch. The Thais ended the tournament with a 4-2 slate.

Larry Liew paced Singapore (1-4) with 17 points, Delvin Goh tallied 10 markers and 12 rebounds, and Hanbin Ng had 10 points and 11 boards in the losing effort.

The scores:

THAILAND 67 – Ananti 17, Samerjai 15, P. Klahan 10, Muangboon 8, Jaisanuk 5, Chanthachon 4, C. Klahan 3, Sunthonsiri 3, Ghogar 2.

SINGAPORE 57 – Liew 17, Goh 10, H. Ng 10, Wong 6, Cheok 4, Kwek 4, Raj 4, Chia 2, J. Lim 0, J. Ng 0

Quarters: 22-16, 38-34, 59-51, 67-57.