By REYNALD MAGALLON
BANGKOK — All the dilly-dallying on the lineup eligibility to the questionable calls even right on the game — all of it, only to delay the inevitable.
Gilas Pilipinas remained the kings of Southeast Asian basketball after frustrating the host team Thailand, 70-64, in the men’s 5-on-5 final in the Games at the Nimibutr Arena on Friday, Dec 19 here.
The Nationals banked on a huge second half flurry and then held on to the lead in the end game to come away with back-to-back golds in the competition and Team Philippines’ 50th in this year’s edition.
As huge as the predominantly Thai crowd inside the arena along with the big drums and mega-phone, the supporters of the hosts went eerily silent as the final buzzer sounded in favor of the now 20-time SEA Games champion.
And the frustration was palpable inside the venue as the Thais led by as many as 13 points in the first half.
But Jamie Malonzo, Matthew Wright and Robert Bolick took over in the back-breaking third frame that saw the Nationals limit the host to a measly 10 points while exploding for 23.
Malonzo finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds while Wright and Bolick finished with 14 and 10 respectively.
“Di ko aakalain na mapapasama ako” said Bolick. “Kami gusto sana namin mapanood si Remy Martin, Mike Phillips, si Brownlee. Gusto natin makita sa Pilipinas ‘yan pero hindi nangyari dahil sa circumstances.
“Kala nila (Thailand) kung kami lang madadali, pero naka-ready kami,” he added.
