Gilas Pilipinas recovers from a slow start and erases a double-digit deficit as it beats Thailand in its own turf to capture a 20th gold medal in the Southeast Gilas Pilipinas recovers from a slow start and erases a double-digit deficit as it beats Thailand in its own turf to capture a 20th gold medal in the Southeast

Gilas Pilipinas turns back host Thailand to defend SEA Games throne

2025/12/19 23:02

BANGKOK, Thailand – Not even the hosts’ flip-flopping on players’ eligibility rules could deny Gilas Pilipinas’ title defense.

The Philippines retained its men’s 5-on-5 basketball crown in the Southeast Asian Games after an inspired 70-64 comeback win over Thailand at the jampacked Nimibutr Arena here on Friday, December 19.

Jamie Malonzo, Robert Bolick, and Thirdy Ravena hit big shots as the Nationals recovered from a slow start that saw them fall behind by double digits to capture a 20th SEA Games gold medal in the event.

It was vindication for the Filipinos after the team scrambled to put together a winning roster after local organizers barred the inclusion of those classified as naturalized players, which they had earlier approved.

The rule change prevented the entry of the likes of Justin Brownlee, Remy Martin, Ange Kouame, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Kymani Ladi.

But this group coached by Norman Black proved it can also get the job done, stunning a Thai side that reached the final with ease after winning all of its four previous games by a whopping margin of 44.3 points.

Thailand still led 55-54 with under eight minutes left after big man Poy Erram fouled out, but Gilas Pilipinas unleashed a 12-0 run highlighted by back-to-back Malonzo and Matthew Wright three-pointers.

Missed free throws then doomed the Thais, who failed to get any closer after cutting their deficit to 64-68 with under a minute left as Freddie Lish bungled both of his foul shots.

Bolick then sealed the win with a pair of free throws.

The Philippines swept the 5-on-5 basketball gold medals for the first time since 2019 as Gilas Women reclaimed the crown by also beating Thailand. – Rappler.com

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny

Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny

The post Shocking OpenVPP Partnership Claim Draws Urgent Scrutiny appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The cryptocurrency world is buzzing with a recent controversy surrounding a bold OpenVPP partnership claim. This week, OpenVPP (OVPP) announced what it presented as a significant collaboration with the U.S. government in the innovative field of energy tokenization. However, this claim quickly drew the sharp eye of on-chain analyst ZachXBT, who highlighted a swift and official rebuttal that has sent ripples through the digital asset community. What Sparked the OpenVPP Partnership Claim Controversy? The core of the issue revolves around OpenVPP’s assertion of a U.S. government partnership. This kind of collaboration would typically be a monumental endorsement for any private cryptocurrency project, especially given the current regulatory climate. Such a partnership could signify a new era of mainstream adoption and legitimacy for energy tokenization initiatives. OpenVPP initially claimed cooperation with the U.S. government. This alleged partnership was said to be in the domain of energy tokenization. The announcement generated considerable interest and discussion online. ZachXBT, known for his diligent on-chain investigations, was quick to flag the development. He brought attention to the fact that U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Hester Peirce had directly addressed the OpenVPP partnership claim. Her response, delivered within hours, was unequivocal and starkly contradicted OpenVPP’s narrative. How Did Regulatory Authorities Respond to the OpenVPP Partnership Claim? Commissioner Hester Peirce’s statement was a crucial turning point in this unfolding story. She clearly stated that the SEC, as an agency, does not engage in partnerships with private cryptocurrency projects. This response effectively dismantled the credibility of OpenVPP’s initial announcement regarding their supposed government collaboration. Peirce’s swift clarification underscores a fundamental principle of regulatory bodies: maintaining impartiality and avoiding endorsements of private entities. Her statement serves as a vital reminder to the crypto community about the official stance of government agencies concerning private ventures. Moreover, ZachXBT’s analysis…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 02:13
Zimbabwean Doctor Pushes for Appeal in $550,000 Crypto Theft Case

Zimbabwean Doctor Pushes for Appeal in $550,000 Crypto Theft Case

The post Zimbabwean Doctor Pushes for Appeal in $550,000 Crypto Theft Case appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. A prominent Zimbabwean eye specialist is demanding
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/12/20 20:59
Load The Bags! Bitcoin MVRV Hits Key Accumulation Threshold

Load The Bags! Bitcoin MVRV Hits Key Accumulation Threshold

The post Load The Bags! Bitcoin MVRV Hits Key Accumulation Threshold appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Load The Bags! Bitcoin MVRV Hits Key Accumulation
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/12/20 21:10