Justin Brownlee (32) and Christian Standhardinger (POC-PSC Media Bureau)
Games Saturday (May 13)
(Morodok Techo Elephant Hall 2)
12 noon (PH time) – Vietnam vs. Philippines (W)
2 p.m. (PH time) – Singapore vs. Philippines (M)
PHNOM PENH – Gilas Pilipinas will try to bounce back and clinch a semifinals berth when it faces Singapore in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tournament at the Morodok Techo Elephant Hall 2 here Saturday.
The Philippines will go into the match at 1 p.m. (2 p.m., Manila time) looking to atone for its 68-79 loss to Cambodia on Thursday, marred by the sweltering heat.
In a news release issued by the Philippine Olympic Committee – Philippine Sports Commission media bureau on Friday, Coach Chot Reyes said the team must shoot better after a mere 36 percent against the host.
Naturalized player Justin Brownlee suffered from cramps and dehydration and scored just 10 points.
“It was just a terrible first half for us,” said Reyes. “You saw what happened. Justin couldn’t move, severely dehydrated. The heat really got to him. But later on, he played better but then he was cramping up already because he lost too much fluids.”
Tensions also flared when Cambodia coach Marcus Savaya called a timeout with 20.7 seconds remaining in the contest and the result of the game already settled.
“That's just an unwritten rule, that's just culture. And it's not even coaching ethics, it's just ethics. Just ethics, right? So, you know, if he wants to -- if the other coach wants to make a fool of himself, then that's on him. That's not our problem,” Reyes said.
Singapore also lost to Cambodia, 85-60, and to Malaysia, 93-70, in previous contests.
As of 8 p.m. Thursday, the Philippines was running sixth with 27 gold, 51 silver, and 65 bronze medals.
Vietnam paces the 11-nation field with a 58-57-72 tally, followed by Cambodia (56-54-44), Thailand (54-39-58), Indonesia (42-34-58), and Singapore (36-28-33).
All countries have clinched at least a medal but provisional ASEAN member Timor-Leste has yet to snag a gold and has only two bronze medals seven days since the Games formally opened. (PNA)
