MANILA – It was a golden double for the Philippines’ 3×3 teams. They swept the men’s and women’s crowns of the 30th Southeast Asian Games 3×3 basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena.
Jaymar Perez carried the cudgels for the men’s 3×3 team early yesterday before Chris Newsome, Jason Perkins and Moala Tautuaa made their hits to defeat Indonesia, 21-9.
The Philippines jumped to a quick double-digit edge behind consecutive points from Perez, including a one-hander dunk.
Tautuaa capped the victory with an outside shot.
The men’s 3×3 basketball team reached the finals after walloping Thailand in the semifinals, 21-12, while Indonesia pulled off a 20-18 escape over Vietnam.
Meanwhile, the Philippine women’s basketball team leaned on the game-long brilliance of Afril Bernardino to topple Thailand, 17-13, in the gold medal match.
Bernardino waxed hot early. She surged the Philippine team to a double-digit edge. Thailand rallied to within 13-17 but a crucial block by Bernardino iced the win for the host team.
Also part of the Patrick Aquino-mentored Philippine team were Claire Castro, Jack Animam and Janine Pontejos.
The women’s 3×3 basketball squad advanced to the finals with its 21-12 victory over Vietnam, while Thailand pulled off a 16-14 overtime win against Malaysia./PN
