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SEA Games: Gilas cadets dominate Indonesia, deliver gold for PHL


Sinag Pilipinas ended the Philippines' 2015 SEA Games campaign on a high note, clinching the gold medal in the men's basketball competition with a 72-64 win over Indonesia on Monday.

“This was not an easy tournament. And we need to review our program because the rest of Southeast Asia is closing the gap,” said coach Tab Baldwin, who disclosed that key members of his squad Mac Belo, Kiefer Ravena, and Marcus Douthit were battling injuries.

"Belo played with a sprained ankle, Ravena’s hip was hurting and Douthit also had a swollen left knee. Despite the injuries, Belo had a great time and all three played courageously and did what was required of them.”

Belo had a stellar outing, scoring 22 points in just 17 minutes of play. Keifer Ravena added 12 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists, while big man Troy Rosario had an efficient night, tallying 11 points with five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

 

#PUSO!SEA GAMES 2015: Gilas cadets dominate Indonesia, deliver gold for PHL http://gmane.ws/1JPMjMI(Video: Mav Gonzales/GMA News)

Posted by GMA News on Monday, June 15, 2015



The Indonesians gave the highly-favored Philippine team a scare halfway into the fourth, as a 9-1 run trimmed the lead to three with 5:06 remaining, 59-56. Ravena and Belo did enough in the endgame, though, stretching the lead when it mattered most to secure the victory.

A breakaway dunk from Kiefer Ravena restored a five-point lead for the Philippines, who got a huge defensive rebound from Marcus Douthit with a minute to play as Belo sealed the win with a string of free throws in the closing seconds.
 
Towering center Douthit praised his young team mates and feels the future of Filipino basketball will be very bright in the hands of the current crop of players.
 
"These guys may be young but they sure played with a lot of heart. It was something Philippines basketball needed, just to know that these guys are the future and are already winners," the 35-year-old New York-born giant said.
 
"Most of these guys are not even professional yet so to me, this is the start of something special and hopefully, they will keep improving and carry it on through their career."

Confetti falls on the court as the Philippines celebrates winning the gold medal at the 28th SEA Games. Image: Singapore SEA Games Organizing Committee / Action Images via Reuters
 
Improving opponents

The result was in stark contrast to the opening game between the two teams, which the Philippines won, 81-52. The score was closer to Sinag Pilipinas'  80-75 escape over Thailand in the semifinals.

The Philippines has been the dominant power in the sport in the region, having won 17 of the 18 basketball tournaments in the SEA Games. But the close result against improving teams has gotten Baldwin worried.

"This was not an easy tournament. And we need to review our program because the rest of Southeast Asia is closing the gap," said Baldwin, who earlier attributed the better performances from the other teams to the exposure they get from professional leagues such as the ASEAN Basketball League.

Still, Baldwin paid tribute to his team composed of Gilas Pilipinas cadets.

"I love these kids, they drive me crazy, but I love them and love being part of Philippine basketball," Baldwin said. "This championship is pretty special for me."

"We have worked so hard as a unit but they drive me crazy the way they play," Baldwin added. "They are young kids and they make a lot of mistakes but they have great heart and a great passion for the game and for their country."

It was the 29th gold medal for the Philippines in the competition as the country remained in sixth place behind Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Earlier in the day, host Singapore, edged Thailand in a low scoring affair, 54-49, to take the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, the national women's basketball team Perlas Pilipinas ended its campaign with an 82-72 victory over Singapore. It was not enough, however, to put the team on the podium owing to its defeat to Thailand earlier in the tournament. - with Reuters/Renee Fopalan/JST/ELR, GMA News
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