KELAPA Gading, Jakarta—The Discovery Perlas ng Pilipinas cagebelles downed defending champion Malaysia, 64-56, and raised prospects for a rare basketball golden double for the country at the 26th Southeast Asian Games.
The Nationals opened the game with a 21-6 run, stormed ahead by as many as 19 points, before holding off the Malaysians down the stretch when cramps hobbled their key players.
Ateneo's Kiefer Ravena led Sinag Pilipinas with 17 points as the Philippines demolished Cambodia Monday.
The men’s team dismantled Cambodia with ease, 127-68, earlier Monday at the start of its drive for what many feel is a sure gold at the BritAma Hall here.
“Obviously, we didn’t want to show them everything,” coach Norman Black said moments after the lopsided win.
The cagebelles, gunning for a first-ever gold, relied on some excellent outside sniping in the stretch after Malaysia caught fire midway in the second half.
The reigning Seaba champions missed Cassy Tioseco, who was left behind after contacting dengue a day before departure.
Kiefer Ravena was 8-of-8 from the field for the men’s team.
The scores:
Men
PHILIPPINES 127—Ravena 17, Garcia 16, Lanete 15, Salva 14, Marcelo 12, Ellis 12, Parks 10, Tiu 9, Hodge 9, Pascual 6, Slaughter 5, Monfort 2.
CAMBODIA 68—Sophoeun 24, Pek 24, Boroth 15, Kim 3, Mohn 2, Chom 0, Therro 0, Lov 0, Kim R. 0, Meas 0, Sovann 0.
Quarters: 35-20, 61-39, 93-56, 127-68
Women
PHILIPPINES 64—Arayi 16, Grajales 11, Borja 11, Jacob 7, Flormata 6, Almajan 5, Jose 3, Adriano 2, Gloriani 2, Mercado 1, Limgenco 0.
MALAYSIA 56—Rajintiran 12, Kew 11, Yong 9, Saw 7, Teo 7, Pang 7, Hee 7, Ang 0, Yaakob 0, Ho 0, Yap 0.
Quarters: 21-6, 36-28, 51-38, 64-56