Gilas Pilipinas was tested yet again in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Thailand—only this time, Vietnam took the nationals to deep waters, keeping the game close well into the final five minutes. But, in the end, Robert Bolick and Poy Erram made key triples to lead the Philippines past the Vietnamese,78-67, and into the semis of the men’s 5×5 basketball tournament.
As they did against Malaysia, Gilas once again got off to a slow start, losing the first quarter, 21-16, as Vietnam got going early at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok. The Vietnamese continued to play well in the second quarter, even building as much as a 14-point lead, 41-27, as halftime drew near. But a 10-0 blast allowed Gilas to end the half down by just four, 41-37.
Gilas Gets into War of Attrition vs. Vietnam
Gilas finally found some semblance of rhythm in the third quarter, retaking the lead and building as much as a 55-48 advantage. But, just as Gilas looked poised to finally shake the Vietnamese off, Vietnam’s lanky center, Huynh Phu Vinh Nguyen, scored seven straight to tie things up at 55.
After three, the game was still very much in the balance, and it appeared an upset was brewing.
Robert Bolick, Poy Erram Make Key Baskets
Both teams struggled mightily to find the bottom of the net throughout the fourth quarter, but it was Gilas that made the marginal baskets courtesy of Robert Bolick and Poy Erram. Berto hit a three with just under nine minutes left in the fourth to nudge Gilas ahead, 62-61, after Vietnam briefly retook the lead.
Then, after a nearly five-minute dry spell from both squads, Bolick hit another trey at the 3:47 mark to give Gilas a 67-62 cushion. Seconds later, Poy Erram nailed another triple—with Bolick setting him up in the pick-and-pop—to all but put the game away for Gilas, 70-62.
Erram led Gilas with 15 points and 5 rebounds, while Bolick finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Matthew Wright added 14, including 12 to help Gilas rally from Vietnam’s early 41-27 advantage. Jamie Malonzo chipped in with 10 points and 8 boards.
Vinh Nguyen and Dang Khoa Tran each had a game-high 19 for Vietnam, while Kim Van Bo added 8.
