Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines dominated the 5-on-5 basketball competitions at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games as both Gilas Pilipinas Men and Gilas Pilipinas Women defeated host Thailand to claim gold medals on Friday, Dec. 19.
The Filipino nationals denied the bids of the Thai women’s team for a sixth gold while a first for the Thai men’s team at the Nimibitur Stadium in Bangkok.
Gilas Pilipinas Women reclaimed the SEA Games championship in a tight win against Thailand, 73-70,
Veteran player Afril Bernardino contributed 19 points during the final to secure the country’s third basketball women’s title in the biennial meet after back-to-back victories in 2019 and 2021. The Gilas Women had a silver finish in 2023 Cambodia.
Gilas Pilipinas Men, meanwhile, began slow in the first half before rallying past Thailand in the third quarter and reasserted supremacy with a 70-64 victory.
Jamie Malonzo’s 17 points, 12 rebounds, five steals, and three assists helped the men’s team to clinch the country’s 20th SEA Games championship in 23 appearances.
The Philippines capped Friday evening at sixth place on the medal tally board with 50 golds, 73 silvers, and 153 bronzes.
The 33rd edition of the SEA Games will hold its closing ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 21.
