Gilas shrugs off slow start to beat Malaysia in SEA Games opener

BANGKOK, December 15 ------ Gilas Pilipinas Men went on a blistering run to close the second quarter to beat Malaysia 83-58 in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games basketball tournament at the Nimibutr Stadium.

Ray Parks fueled a 20-0 run for Gilas Pilipinas to end the half up, 42-26, and claim the victory to start the campaign. Robert Bolick and Thirdy Ravena also made key shots to keep their lead. Gilas Pilipinas won even as the team also showed qualities of a hastily-assembled squad especially in the first half, being the first time it played together. “We have to get better as the tournament goes on,” said Gilas coach Norman Black. “This is actually our first game as a group. When I say first game, I mean first game talaga.” “Defensively, we played well in the second and fourth quarters. First and third quarter, we weren’t that good. So we just work to improve, watch the tape, how can we get better while we are here, and hopefully get a victory against Vietnam in the next game,” he continued.

Parks had 18 points, including 12 in that pivotal second-quarter run. Bolick had 17 points and six rebounds, while Ravena had 13 points and 10 rebounds. Parks sparked the pullaway with nine straight points, and nailed a three with 15 seconds left in the second to give Gilas Pilipinas a 42-26 lead at the half. The run came after Malaysia grabbed a 22-16 lead after a sluggish start from the Philippines.

The scores:

Philippines 83 – Parks 18, Bolick 17, Ravena 13, Panopio 7, Malonzo 7, Erram 7, Wright 5, Chua 4, Pessumal 3, Tratter 2, Manzano 0, Pre 0.

Malaysia 58 – Ting 21, J.K.C. Wong 13, Chin 9, J.S.W.L. Lee 7, Mahadevan 3, Yong 3, J.H. Lee 2, De 0, Chang 0, Ooi 0, Wong 0.

Quarters: 16-22; 42-26; 62-51; 83-58.

Source: spin.ph