Gilas dumps Indonesia, faces Thailand in gold medal match

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 09 Dec 2019 21:12:17 +0000

BY WAYLON GALVEZ

Games Tuesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

3:45 p.m. – Vietnam vs Indonesia (M/Bronze)

6p.m. –Philippines vs Thailand (W/Gold)

8:15 p.m. – Philippines vs Thailand (M/Gold)

Gilas Pilipinas used a big third quarter show to down Indonesia, 97-70, and move within a win in retaining its title in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Monday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

 Known to be a defensive specialist, Chris Ross came through big on offense, knocking in back-to-back three-point shots in the third quarter that sparked the national team’s decisive breakaway.

June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter.

Protecting a 39-28 lead at halftime break, the all-PBA national team outscored Indonesia, 39-17, giving them a comfortable 78-45 advantage going to the final quarter.

 Ross finished with 11 points, six assists and five rebounds, Christian Standhardinger had 14 points, Matthew Wright 13 points, and Vic Manuel 12 points in another well-balanced attack.

June Mar Fajardo, the reigning five-time PBA Most Valuable Player, had nine points and the same number of rebounds.

The Philippines’ win arranged a gold medal match against Thailand, which won against Vietnam, 101-95, in the other semifinal game. The battle for gold medal is set Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. at the same venue.

The national team will be aiming for its 18th gold medal in 20 SEA Games.

Gilas coach Tim Cone expects the game against the Thais to be a close one considering the way they pressure the ball, and switch it to half court zone defense – evident in the three games in the elimination.

“They did a really good job with their pressure. We’ve got a day to prepare. They play different defense in terms of zone defense. It’s going to be difficult,” said Cone, who is eyeing his first gold medal as coach of the national team after a bronze medal finish during the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

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