SEA Games: Sinag wallops Malaysia, ends perfect run with gold

Sinag Pilipinas claimed the gold medal at the 27th Southeast Asian Games' men's basketball tournament after downing Malaysia, 84-56, on Sunday in Myanmar.

Up by nine at the half, the Philippines leaned on Bobby Ray Parks for a series of baskets in the third to bury Malaysia in a 20-point hole. Parks ended the game with 18 points, while Kevin Alas added 13.

The 5-0 sweep allowed Sinag to replicate their 2011 stint, back when the team was coached by current Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters mentor Norman Black.

Twin triples from Wei Tek Koh and a Yoong Jing Kwaan bucket pushed Malaysia ahead 8-2 early on, before the Philippines unleashed a 15-0 run, capped off by five straight from Kevin Ferrer, 17-8. Another triple from Tian Yuan Kuek and a Ban Sin Ooi basket sliced the lead to four at the 3:30 mark, but makes from Kevin Alas and Keifer Ravena canceled out Ooi charities to end the first, 21-15.

A 6-0 run greeted Malaysia at the start of the first, as Sinag erected a 12-point lead. The Phlippines would lead by as much as 14 with 7:40 remaining after a Roi Sumang basket, but Malaysia stayed alive by connecting twice from deep, 34-28.

After a Jake Pascual basket, Sinag started to feed Douthit for four more points, as Garvo Lanete and Mac Belo combined for five to keep Sinag ahead at the half, 43-34.

It was a balanced attack for the Philippines in the first half, with Kevin Alas leading the pack with seven. Douthit, Lanete and Pascual all tallied six points, while Kevin Ferrer added five.

The Philippines made it a double-digit advantage midway through the third, as Bobby Ray Parks and Sumang combined for five at the 6:06 mark, 54-42. Eight more points from Parks made it a 20-point game with 3:17 left, 66-46, as Sing Tee Ng and Jake Pascual exchanged makes to end the third with Sinag ahead, 68-49.

Jake Pascual added eight points, six rebounds and three assists, while Kiefer Ravena tallied eight markers as well, plus six dimes.

The Philippines finished shooting 54 percent from the field (35-of-65) versus Malaysia's 32 percent clip (22-of-69). The Gilas cadets also tallied a 29-12 edge in assist, as well as a 28-10 advantage in points in the paint. - AMD, GMA News