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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (UPDATED) – Gilas Pilipinas faced an acid test in just the first day of the 2017 Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tournament, and they narrowly passed it.
The Philippines barely skirted around disaster as they slipped past gutsy Thailand, 84-71, on Sunday, August 20 at the MABA Stadium here.
Gilas blew an early 10-point lead in the second quarter and from them on empowered the Thais, who not only kept things close but also took the lead several times in the fourth period.
But the Filipinos somehow found their spark down the stretch, with SEA Games vets Ray Parks and Kiefer Ravena leading the charge. Parks, who had 14 points and a plus-15 efficiency, drew a crucial foul from Thai-American ace Tyler Lamb halfway through the fourth quarter and it opened up a 10-3 run for the Philippines to seal the victory.
Troy Rosario put up 16 markers and grabbed 10 boards to go with two steals, while big man Christian Standhardinger, who flew in from Lebanon and the FIBA Asia Cup to make the SEA Games, 15 points and 10 rebounds, including the crucial two-pointer with 47 seconds remaining to keep Thailand at bay.
Ravena added 11 points, 4 rebounds, two assists, and two steals as the Philippines struggled once more against the zone defense with their cold outside shooting. Gilas shot a measly 6-of-30 from long range.
Lamb led the Thais with 17 points and 6 rebounds, while Kannut Samerjai and Chitchai Ananti had 11 markers.
The Philippines next faces Myanmar on Tuesday. – Rappler.com
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