BANGKOK - Gilas Pilipinas remains as Southeast Asian Games champion even without its best line-up.
Jamie Malonzo sparked a crucial run in the fourth quarter that enabled the Philippines to finally shake off an upset-conscious Thailand side, 70-64, in front of a massive home crowd at the Nimibutr Stadium.
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Gilas survived a slow start and lackluster shooting performance all game long, finding its touch just in time to win the gold despite the difficulties in forming a squad owing to the hosts' flip-flopping eligibility rules.
Gilas coach Norman Black had to make several revisions to his line-up as some players were declared ineligible by the organizing committee. But the team he came up with was still good enough to reassert Philippine basketball supremacy in the region.
He has Malonzo to thank for that.
The controversial Fil-Am winger scored seven points in a 13-0 run that got Gilas ahead, 67-55, after being down by one early in the fourth quarter and by double digits after a spotty performance in the first half.
By the time he was done, Gilas has secured its 20th SEA Games basketball gold medal - and Malonzo had put a bright ending to a tumultuous year that saw him leave Barangay Ginebra for the Japan B.League, only to be released shortly after.
Robert Bolick, another key cog in that second-half turnaround, gestured the 'night night' after sinking two free throws that settled the score.
The scores:
Philippines 70 – Malonzo 17, Wright 14, Bolick 10, Panopio 9, Erram 8, Ravena 5, Manzano 4, Tratter 0, Chua 0, Pessumal 0.
Thailand 64 – Ejesu 13, Jakrawan 13, Chungyampin 8, Diaby 7, Lish 6, Leelaphipatkul 6, Jaisanuk 6, Morgan 5, Thongpool 0, Jiamsawasd 0.
Quarters: 17-22; 29-38; 48-52; 70-64.
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