SEA Games: PH men’s, women’s basketball squads open with wins

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’ men’s and women’s national basketball teams kickstarted their medal aspirations in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia with separate convincing victories Monday.

Sinag Pilipinas, boasting of a a core of players from the UAAP and the NCAA, did not look amateur at all in the 127-68 hammering of Cambodia in the men’s title at the Britama Arena in Jakarta.

Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena churned out a near-perfect game in leading the Philippines to its first win as the Rookie of the Year finished with 17 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting, five rebounds,  three assists and four steals.

Far Eastern University and UAAP former MVP RR Garcia added 16 points and San Beda’s top scorer Garvo Lanete, 15 points.

Built to run relentlessly and tire out their opponents, the Philippines only needed half of the first quarter to warm up before blitzing away for good, aided by a stellar 71 percent shooting clip.

Cambodia, which lost its star player Phal Sorphor to a tragic car accident just a week before the competition started, had no answers to the Philippines’ speed and simply stared at a 50+ deficit by the payoff period.

Mith Pek and Oeun Sopheun rallied behind the Cambodians in a losing effort with 24 points apiece.

In the women’s division, Discover Perlas ng Pilipinas neutralized Malaysia’s sheer height advantage with quickness and athleticism and pulled off a 64-56 victory.

Merenciana Arayi led the Philippines against the Malaysians—at least four of whose players had heights beyond six feet—with 16 points—nine in the first quarter alone—along with 13 rebounds

The Filipinos got off to a strong start versus the Malaysians, zooming to 26-10 lead early in the second quarter, despite the absence of Cassy Tioseco, who was hit by dengue last week.