CHONBURI, Thailand – Gilas Pilipinas hacked out a 78-67 win over Vietnam to advance to the semifinals of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tournament at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
Robert Bolick spearheaded a key 9-0 run with back-to-back threes to give Gilas the lead for good, 70-62, after Vietnam kept the game agonizingly close throughout.
The Philippines even trailed, 41-27, but closed the second quarter with a 10-0 run to wrest control for good and complete a sweep of its group-stage games counting an 83-58 win over Malaysia last Sunday.
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“It was a hard-earned win,” said Gilas coach Norman Black. “It was a very difficult game for us. Give credit to the Vietnam team for playing as well as they did.”
Poy Erram also drained a three in that crucial Gilas run to finish with a team-high 15 points, with Matthew Wright adding 14 points on a 4-of-7 clip from threes.
But it was Bolick who made the most important baskets with three treys in that decisive stretch. He also had six rebounds and four assists.
“Bolick is one of our key players. He is a clutch player. He came through again today for us. But overall, we just have to try to improve our game because it’s going to be difficult to go all the way if we don’t improve as the tournament goes on,” said Black.
Gilas will have a one-day break with the semifinals to be played on Wednesday. The Philippines will face the winner of the qualification to the semifinals match between Group B’s second seed and Group A’s third seed to be determined later in the day.
The scores:
Philippines 78 – Erram 15, Wright 14, Bolick 13, Malonzo 10, Panopio 7, Parks 6, Ravena 5, Manzano 4, Chua 4, Tratter 0, Pessumal 0, Du 0.
Vietnam 67 – Hunyh Phu 19, Tran 19, Dierker 8, Vo 8, Dang 4, Truc Nhan 3, Young 2, Anh Kiet 2, Thanh Tam Dinh 2
Quarterscores: 16-21; 37-41; 61-60; 78-67.
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