Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) – The Gilas 5×5 men’s and women’s teams are just a win away from taking home the gold medal in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
Both teams trounced their opponents on Saturday at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium in Vietnam.
In the first game, the Filipina cagers drubbed Singapore, 88-61, with center Clare Castro leading the team with 15 points. She missed only one of her six total field goals in the lopsided contest.
Khate Castillo and Janine Pontejos logged 14 points each, while Angel Surada added 11 markers as the Gilas women squad remains flawless after four games.
The Patrick Aquino-mentored national women’s basketball team looks to bag their second straight SEA Games gold medal on Sunday against Malaysia, 10 a.m. Philippine time.
Meanwhile, the Gilas men’s team easily demolished Malaysia, 87-44.
The Filipino male dribblers established a nine-point lead after the first quarter and broke away from there.
SEA Games debutant Thirdy Ravena imposed his will, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
RR Pogoy sank all his three field goals to finish with nine points, while young prospect Lebron Lopez contributed the same number of points for the Chot Reyes-coached national men’s basketball team.
The Gilas will face fellow unbeaten team Indonesia on Sunday at 4 p.m, a match that is virtually a gold medal game.
The Philippines is seeking to win its 14th straight gold medal in the SEA Games, where so far it won 18 out of 20 titles that had been at stake since men’s basketball was first played in the 1977 edition in Kuala Lumpur.
