Gilas Pilipinas is assured of winning the gold in women’s basketball after Malaysia’s 69-65 loss to host Vietnam in the 31st Southeast Asian Games Saturday, May 21 in Hanoi.
Playing in front of their supporters at the Tranh Tri Gymnasium, the Vietnamese cagebelles led by 11 in the fourth quarter before staving off the Malaysian rally in the final minutes to secure the victory.
The result was beneficial for Gilas as it will end the Games with a second straight gold in the women’s cagefest of the regional meet with a game to spare.
Coach Pat Aquino steered the Pinay cagers to the top of the standings with a 4-0 record, including an 88-61 rout of Singapore earlier in the day.
It also makes Gilas’ match against Malaysia on Sunday at 9 a.m. local time (10 a.m. Manila time) a non-bearing affair after the latter dropped to a tie with Vietnam at 2-2.
Aquino’s squad can afford to lose since it holds the tiebreaker in the event Gilas finishes the round-robin competition tied at 4-1 with Indonesia.
Gilas defeated Indonesia, 93-77, in the opener last Monday.
But Aquino is expected to coach his team as if the gold remains at stake.
Thao Vy Truong scored 22 points to put Vietnam in contention for a possible medal finish.