Statement win vs Singapore was Gilas' 'final practice' ahead of SEAG semis, says Chot Reyes

PHNOM PENH — Gilas Pilipinas bounced back strong on Saturday, pulling off a statement win against Singapore, 105-45, to punch its ticket to the semifinals round in the 32nd SEA Games here.

Gilas finished second in Group A behind host Cambodia, who handed them a 79-68 loss the other day. And moving forward to the semifinals, the national cagers will either face Indonesia or Thailand in a bid to step closer to their goal of reclaiming the SEAG throne.

And head coach Chot Reyes is glad to have this game to help them prepare for what comes ahead for the team in the knockout rounds.

"This is basically our final practice before the semifinal game, because you know we can't really go hard in the practice," Reyes said.

"This was our preparatory practice. We want them to already work on the things we might need against whoever—Indonesia or Thailand."

Reyes said that he's hoping his players have now adapted to the heat and the court's floorings, which he earlier cited as concerns in their loss to the hosts.

"Hopefully. But again, iba 'yung heat ng ganitong 1 o'clock, iba 'yung heat ng 5 o'clock pag puno 'yung stadium. Again, that was the problem we had last game with Justin (Brownlee), hopefully we adjust better in the semifinals," he added.

("Hopefully. But again, the head is different at 1 o'clock and the head is different at 5 o'clock when the stadium is filled with people. Again, that was the problem we had last game with Justin, hopefully we adjust better in the semifinals.")

Brownlee churned out 12 points, six rebounds, and eight assists to tow the Philippines while Marcio Lassiter dropped 16 markers as they improved to 2-1.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News