The Philippines celebrates after beating Thailand in the men’s 3×3 basketball competition at the Southeast Asian Games.
MANILA, Philippines—Facing its first real acid test, the Philippines made good account of itself on Friday afternoon, turning back Thailand, 21-16, to stay unbeaten in the men’s 3×3 event of the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
Trailing 12-7, Gilas nibbled at the deficit behind Reymar Caduyac to pull level 14-14 with a little over four minutes left in the contest held at Thanh Tri Gymnasium in Hanoi.
Marvin Hayes and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser then hit some critical points to give the Philippines a 20-15 cushion going into the homestretch.
Rosser hit a tough, contested layup to win it for the Nationals, who tabbed their second straight victory after taking down Cambodia, 19-7 earlier in the day.
Rosser led the way with eight points, while Caduyac added six. Hayes chipped in five more in the effort while Napoles two.
The Philippines will try to sweep its opening day assignments when it takes on Indonesia later this afternoon in a rematch of the 2019 gold medal match.