GILAS PILIPINAS SETTLES FOR SILVER

Gilas Pilipinas saw the end of its SEA Games reign after absorbing a shocking 81-85 loss to vastly improved Indonesia.

Indonesia finished the round robin tournament with a 6-0 record to claim its first-ever men’s basketball gold as the Philippines settled for silver for the first time since 1989.

(READ: SEA Games shocker: Gilas Pilipinas stunned as Indonesia escapes with gold)

GILAS PILIPINAS TRAILS INDONESIA AT HALFTIME

Indonesia threatened the Philippines’ bid for a 14th straight SEA Games men’s basketball gold early as a poor-shooting Gilas Pilipinas squad trailed, 36-32, at halftime.

Troy Rosario led Gilas with 10 points at the break and Thirdy Ravena scored 8 against the unbeaten Indonesians, who are tied on top of the standings with the Filipinos at 5-0.

(LIVE UPDATES: 31st SEA Games men’s basketball – Philippines vs Indonesia)

EUMIR MARCIAL DEFENDS BOXING GOLD

Eumir Marcial bagged his fourth straight SEA Games gold after handily beating Delio Anzaqeci Mouzinho of Timor Leste in the men’s -75kg finals.

Marcial also reigned in the middleweight division in 2017 and 2019 after bagging the welterweight gold in 2015.

(READ: Eumir Marcial dominates as Filipino boxers punch way to 3 SEA Games golds)

IAN CLARK BAUTISTA SNARES ANOTHER BOXING GOLD

The Philippines claimed another boxing gold as Ian Clark Bautista ruled the men’s -57kg with a finals win over Myanmar’s Naing Latt.

Bautista breaks through after settling for a bantamweight bronze in the previous SEA Games.

ROGEN LADON SNAGS FIRST BOXING GOLD

Rogen Ladon captured the Philippines’ first boxing gold after beating home bet Tran Van Thao of Vietnam in the men’s -52kg finals.

Ladon defended the gold he won in the 2019 SEA Games.

GILAS WOMEN BAG GOLD DESPITE MALAYSIA LOSS

Gilas Women still defended their throne despite absorbing a sorry 93-96 loss to Malaysia in their final game in Vietnam.

The Philippines wrapped up its campaign with a 4-1 record to secure its second straight gold in women’s basketball.

Indonesia can also finish with a 4-1 record, but the Philippines wins the tiebreaker as the Filipinas beat the Indonesians earlier.

(READ: Gilas Women defend SEA Games gold despite Malaysia heartbreaker)

PREVIEW

The Philippines relies on boxing, Gilas Pilipinas, Gilas Women, and Sibol to deliver as it makes its final push for a top-three finish in the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam on Sunday, May 22.

Four Filipino boxers are a win away from golds, with Eumir Marcial, Rogen Ladon, Irish Magno, and Ian Clark Bautista advancing to the finals of their respective weight classes.

Marcial battles Timor Leste’s Delio Anzaqeci Mouzinho in the men’s -75kg, Ladon duels Vietnam’s Tran Van Thao in the men’s -52kg, while Magno clashes with Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Tam in the women’s 51kg.

Bautista goes up against Myanmar’s Naing Latt as the national boxing team aims to produce as many golds as possible to help the Philippines catch up with Indonesia for the No. 3 spot in the medal table.

Tied with Singapore at fourth place with 47 golds, the Philippines faces an uphill climb in its attempt to overhaul a sizable lead by Indonesia, which goes into the last day of competition with 59 golds.

Gilas Pilipinas is expected to stretch its SEA Games reign as it shoots for a tournament sweep with a win over fellow unbeaten team Indonesia.

By beating Indonesia, the Philippines will capture its 14th straight gold in men’s basketball.

The same goes for Gilas Women, who intend to complete their title-retention campaign with a victory over Malaysia.

In esports, Sibol eyes three more golds as its League of Legends, PUBG Mobile (team), and CrossFire squads remain in the running for medals in their respective events.

The Philippines also banks on its athletes in judo and muay thai for additional medals.

– Rappler.com