MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas used a huge third quarter onslaught to topple Indonesia, 97-70, in the 30th Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball semifinals last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With Chris Ross, Matthew Wright and Marcio Lassiter in the third period, Gilas pulled away for good from Indonesia to set up a gold medal match with Thailand tonight.
Holding to a slim lead in the third period, Ross and Wright drained outside hits for a 68-45 advantage. It grew to 78-45 on back-to-back triples from Lassiter.
The lead grew further for the national men’s basketball team in the fourth quarter with June Mar Fajardo, Gregory Slaughter and Vic Manuel attacking Indonesia’s interior defense.
It was a different ball game in the opening half. The Indonesians turned Gilas’ 13-5 advantage to 24-20 deficit with their efficient outside shooting.
In the second period, the Indonesians were just down by six points before the Philippines created a separation on inside baskets from Manuel for a 39-26 halftime score.
With the defeat, the Indonesians are now relegated to the battle for bronze medal, where they will battle Vietnam./PN
