SEA Games: PH dribblers overwhelm Thailand

MANILA, Philippines—Sinag Pilipinas started slow before turning it up a notch to overwhelm Thailand, 103-69, and remain unscathed Wednesday in the 26th SEA Games at the BritAma Arena in Indonesia.

The Nationals went on a 31-9 surge bridging the first two quarters that turned a two-point deficit to a commanding 41-21 spread at the 9:15 mark of the second period.

Later, Discovery Perlas ng Pilipinas, the country’s women’s national team also won in lopsided fashion over Myanmar, 57-39.

The Philippine cagebelles broke loose from a close 26-23 game at the half, thanks to a blistering third quarter, which they sustained till the end.

Fil-American Cliff Hodge uncorked 13 of his game-high 15 points in the pivotal first half where the Philippines took the fight out of Thailand early.

Hodge, a swingman with a huge upside with his length and athleticism, went six-of-seven from the field and added three rebounds and two assists to his efficient stat line.

UAAP rookie of the year Kiefer Ravena, of Ateneo, contributed with an all-around effort of 14 points, four rebounds, five dimes and four steals.

Nico Salva chipped in with 12 markers while Greg Slaughter and Chris Ellis had 11 points apiece.

Ray Parks, the reigning UAAP MVP, played the most minutes and scored 10 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists as six Filipinos notched double-digit scoring.

Thailand, which absorbed its first loss in three games, briefly led 12-10 on a Chaiwat Kaedum basket.

The Thais were held to just 39-percent shooting from the field while the Nationals caught fire with a 65-percent shooting clip.

Both the PH men and women’s basketball team tote a perfect slate. The men’s team hiked its winning run to 3-0 while the women’s squad notched its second straight win.