The Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team imposed their will on Cambodia and came away with a 100-32 victory in the 31st Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Even though the Gilas won over Thailand, 76-73, in their first outing, the result left a lot to be desired. Their performance on Tuesday, though, put to rest any talk of the Philippines’ dominance of regional basketball wavering as they zoomed off to a 32-9 lead after the first period to set the tone for the massive 68-point victory.
Youngster Lebron Lopez—who was celebrating his 19th birthday—starred for the national team as he produced 17 points, five rebounds, a steal, and two blocked shots. Subbed into the game at the halfway point of the first canto, Lopez immediately made his presence felt, contributing his fair share in a massive 17-0 Gilas run.
The former Ateneo high school star also got the fans to cheer a little louder as he delivered a thunderous two-handed slam dunk to raise Gilas’ lead to 34-11 early in the second stanza.
Gilas cadet Will Navarro had 16 points and seven rebounds while Jaydee Tungcab made the most of his extended time on the floor and had 14 points, five steals, two assists, and two boards. Sweet-shooting big man Isaac Go also produced a double-double of 13 points and 12 boards. (JNP)