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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Gilas off to rousing start in SEAG basketball

Gilas off to rousing start in SEAG basketball

Published Dec 14, 2025 03:15 pm

At A Glance

  • Buoyed by the huge reception from Filipino fans — largely overseas workers, the Gilas Pilipinas men's team bucked a slow start and blasted Malaysia, 83-58, for a winning start just as the women's side secured an outright semifinals spot in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Nimibutr Arena on Sunday, Dec. 14 here.
Thirdy Ravena scores against Malaysia during their SEA Games match Sunday, Dec. 14. (POC Media)
Thirdy Ravena scores against Malaysia during their SEA Games match Sunday, Dec. 14. (POC Media)
BANGKOK — The huge Filipino crowd was wild and roaring right off the bat, from the jump ball to the first three points by Matthew Wright.
And they never went silent from there.
Buoyed by the huge reception from Filipino fans — mostly overseas workers, the Gilas Pilipinas men’s team bucked a slow start and blasted Malaysia, 83-58, for a winning start just as the women’s side secured an outright semifinals spot in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Nimibutr Arena on Sunday, Dec. 14 here.
The Nationals made their title retention bid apparent behind a huge 26-4 second quarter outburst that not only allowed them to recover from a lethargic first quarter but also break the game wide open for the first win of the men’s basketball competitions.
Ray Parks Jr, gunning for his fourth SEA Games gold, presided over the telling run to finish with 18 points built on three triples that also went six rebounds and two assists.
Robert Bolick provided 17 points while Thirdy Ravena finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds for Gilas which, according to head coach Norman black, still has plenty to work on despite the rousing start.
“We have to get better as the tournament goes on. This is actually our first game as a group. When I say first game, as in, first game talaga,” said Gilas head coach Norman Black.
“So defensively we played well in the second and fourth quarters. So we’ll just work to improve and figure out how to get better while we are here,” he added.
Earlier, the Gilas Women’s team completed a sweep of their group behind a 92-59 beating of Singapore.
Kacey Dela Rosa towered over the opposition and dominated the paint with 22 points and six rebounds while young guns Sarah Heyn and Sophia Dignadice finished with 14 and 12 respectively.
“They were comfortable na. Yesterday was like getting off the first game, second game just letting them play a little bit,” said head coach Pat Aquino.
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