Gilas Pilipinas men’s 3×3 team in the SEA Games.
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’ gold medal bid in the Southeast Asian Games’ 3×3 circuit ended on Saturday afternoon, following a 21-17 defeat at the hands of Thailand.
The second-seeded Nationals fell to the No. 3 Thais, who used their speed and long-distance shooting to maximum effect in the physical contest at Thanh Tri Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Jorey Napoles, Reymar Caduyac and Marvin Hayes, took turns at keeping the enemy within striking range, forging a deadlock at 9-9.
But some timely baskets from Thailand’s Fred Lish and Antonio Price took out the collective sails of the Philippines, 14-1, halfway through the contest.
Gilas managed to pull within 15-16 until Rosser’s costly turnover which enabled the Thais to score in succession.
Losers in their 2019 semifinal meeting, Thailand went on a four-point tear, setting up Price’s freebie that sealed the final tally.
The Philippines, like its female counterparts, will try to salvage a bronze medal when it plays Indonesia also this Saturday.