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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Gilas opens SEAG title defense vs Malaysia

Gilas opens SEAG title defense vs Malaysia

Published Dec 13, 2025 02:20 pm

At A Glance

  • BANGKOK — Gilas Pilipinas gets a much-needed boost after adding TNT big man Poy Erram as a late replacement ahead of its opening game against Malaysia in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Nimibutr Arena on Sunday, Dec. 14 here.
Gilas Pilipinas players and coaching staff before their flight to Bangkok, Thailand. (SBP)
Gilas Pilipinas players and coaching staff before their flight to Bangkok, Thailand. (SBP)
BANGKOK — Gilas Pilipinas gets a much-needed boost after adding TNT big man Poy Erram as a late replacement ahead of its opening game against Malaysia in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Nimibutr Arena on Sunday, Dec. 14 here.
Undeterred by the flip-flopping of eligibility rules which many see as an effort to delay the team’s preparation for the biennial meet, the Nationals are aiming for a huge statement win against the Malaysians in their contest set at 12:30 p.m. (Manila time).
And expected to take a huge role is Erram, who is stepping in for Allen Liwag who had to be replaced due a nagging shoulder injury.
“Poy is a veteran, and a guy who can help us as far as size is concerned,” said Gilas head coach Norman Black, who was at the stadium on Saturday to scout the Malaysian team
“One thing we do lack with this team is we don't have much size. We lost a lot of our size to the eligibility rules. So Poy will be coming in to help us, particularly on the defensive end of the court,” he added.
Joining Erram in the Final 12 are Justin Chua, Robet Bolick, Von Pessumal, and Jamie Malonzo. Thirdy Ravena, Matthew Wright and Ray Parks are also in the lineup along with young guns Dalph Panopio, Veejay Pre and Cedrick Manzano.
The Nationals are gunning to retain the men’s basketball gold which they won in the last edition in Cambodia and after the debacle in Hanoi where they settled for a silver against Indonesia.
Basketball, in any SEA Games edition, is seen as one of the most important events especially for Filipino fans.
The country owns 19 titles, the winningest of all, on top of three silvers in all of its participations.
Black admitted that there’s not much known about the Malaysian team heading into their contest but they are confident to find ways to assert their size and speed advantage.
“I know at least five or six of the players are still the same from that team. But the coach is different. So that's why I'm here today to scout the game and try to find out how they play. And how we're going to defend them and attack them,” said Black.
As of writing, the Philippines has 11 gold, 16 silver, and 35 bronze medals, good for fifth place, behind host Thailand (67-43-28), Vietnam (24-17- 43), Indonesia (20-29-24), and Singapore (15-16-18).
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