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| Filipino big man Troy Rosario slams one home in transition against Thailand. (image from the SEA Games) |
Scores and Recaps:
Day 6
VIETNAM over TIMOR-LESTE, 80-29
Box scores.
- Vietnam had an easy time disposing of the Timorese. The winners outrebounded their foes and made 13 threes overall. Han Minh Trieu led Vietnam with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 treys, while Huynh Hai Nguyen and Quang Trung To added 11 and 12 markers respectively. Baptista Da Silva Ribeiro was the only player from Timor-Leste to score in double-figures with 14.
Line of the Game: Han Minh Trieu (VIE) - 23pts, 8rebs, 6asts, 1stl, 4 triples, 8/14 FGs.
MALAYSIA over CAMBODIA, 62-56
Box scores.
- This was a tight contest all throughout, but the higher-seeded Malaysians were able to survive the tough challenge from the Cambodians. Malaysia outgunned Cambodia, 22-12, in the final frame to complete only their second win of the tournament. Big man Tian Yuan Kuek led the way with 11 points and 9 rebounds for Malaysia, while Wei Hong Choo added 10 markers. Sak Ratana top-scored for Cambodia with 14 points, while Anthony Dar and Sopheen Toun dropped a combined 25 markers.
Line of the Game: Sopheen Toun (CAM) - 12pts, 9rebs, 4stls, 1ast.
PHILIPPINES over THAILAND, 80-75
Box scores.
- Make no mistake, for two-thirds of this game, Thailand was the better team. With solid outside shooting and airtight halfcourt defense, the Thais of coach Soonthornpong Mawinthorn had the Gilas Cadets completely figured out in the first half. Thailand hit 5 treys in the first 20 minutes and forced a ton of Filipino turnovers en route to a commanding 43-33 lead at the break. Without a doubt, everyone in the OCC Arena was stunned, except maybe the small contingent of Thai fans wearing “It’s Possible” t-shirts.
It was a different story in the second half, though, as the Pinoys, champions of all but one edition of SEA Games hoops, played with more sense of urgency to retake the lead heading into the final period. Buoyed by big shots from Almond Vostros and the strong inside play of Troy Rosario, the Filipinos repeatedly kept the Thais at bay, though they could never really pull away.
Bench mob firecracker Glenn Khobuntin even got himself thrown out of the game after a scuffle at the baseline opposite a triumvirate of Thai enforcers (Sukhdave Ghogar, Darongpan Apiromvilaichai, and Chanachon Klahan). Klahan was assessed his fifth and final foul, Ghogar shot a technical free throw, and Apriomvilaichai got off scot-free. It stymied whatever momentum the Philippines had built up and enabled the Thais to keep in-step.
It was a good thing, then that hotshot guard Kiefer Ravena came up big with a dagger three-point shot in the dying seconds to put the outcome beyond doubt and send Gilas to another Finals appearance. This should serve as a reality check for coach Tab Baldwin’s wards, though, as even they aren’t impervious to potential upsets.
Line of the Game: Troy Rosario (PHI) - 27pts, 12rebs, 3asts, 3stls, 11/16 FGs.
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| Norbert Torres tries to block the reverse lay-up of Darongpan Apiromvilaichai. (image from the SEA Games) |
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| Wutipong Dasom tries to evade the defense of Almond Vosotros. (image from the SEA Games) |
INDONESIA over SINGAPORE, 87-74
Box scores.
- What was supposed to be Singapore’s coming out party turned into a disappointment. The hosts never led in this one as the Indonesians proved to be a notch better at every turn. Coach Neo Ben Siang’s boys cannot blame anybody else but themselves, though, as they shot poorly form the floor. Singapore made just 34% of its field goals, including only 4/21 from three-point land. Top gunner Wong Wei Long was limited here, connecting on just 2 of his 12 FG attempts. Singapore trailed early in this one and just couldn’t put together a big enough run to threaten late in the game. Andrie Santosa led the Indons with 16 points in only 15 minutes, while veterans Mario Wuysang and Rony Gunawan each tallied a dozen markers. Singapore is in danger of not finishing on the podium as they tackle a spirited Thai team tomorrow, while Indonesia tries to seek a measure of vengeance against the Filipinos in the Finals. The Philippines defeated Indonesia to open their campaign here in the SEA Games.
Line of the Game: Larry Liew (SIN) - 16pts, 4rebs, 4stls, 2asts.
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| Adhi Putra puts the move on Singapore's Wu Qingde. (image from the Channel News Asia Facebook page) |
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| Wong Wei Long went cold in this pivotal match against Indonesia. (image from the Channel News Asia Facebook page) |
Highlights:
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