Sinag secure cage gold, rip Indonesians

Games today

10 a.m. – Philippines vs Indonesia (W)

4 p.m. – Philippines vs Malaysia (M)

NAY PYI TAW – Sinag Pilipinas came away with an expected 83-52 romp over Indonesia at the Zaya Thiri Indoor Stadium yesterday to wrap up its 16th SEA Games basketball crown although the gold will only be added to the Philippines tally after its final game against Malaysia today.

The Filipino cagers face off with the Malaysians at 4 p.m. but even if they lose, they would still clinch the crown via the winner-over-the-other rule over Thailand, the only team with a mathematical chance to tie the Philippines at 5-1.

The Pinoys clobbered the Thais, 100-68, last Friday.

Marcus Douthit put on a double-double job of 11 points and 11 rebounds while Kiefer Ravena came off the bench to fire 10 markers as the Filipinos shook off a shaky start to roll past the Indonesians.

Despite their standing, however, head coach Jong Uichico still wants his charges to go all out against a Malaysian team that is out of the medal hunt.

“Malaysia is very tall, but not very athletic,” said Uichico. “That causes them to rely more on their post game.”

Douthit spiked his best all-around game thus far in the competitions with two assists and as many steals against Indonesia. He scored just two of his points in the second half but that hardly mattered.

With less than 24 hours to refresh following the Thailand game, the Filipinos actually started out flat, enabling the Indons to tie the match at 18 after the first quarter.

A 12-0 surge behind Mac Belo (nine points, five rebounds, three steals) and Jake Pascual (eight points, four rebounds) put Sinag ahead for good, 30-18.

Indonesia crept within 34-40 at the half, but a 14-4 blast put the Philippine unassailably ahead, 58-38. A three-point by Ravena and a fastbreak basket by Matt Ganuelas off a Belo steal made it 67-43, heading into the final 10 minutes.            – Gerry Carpio

“Medyo mabagal ang umpisa, pero naka-recover din eventually (We struggled a bit at the start but they were able to recover in time),” said Uichico.

Perlas Pilipinas, meanwhile, goes up against Indonesia at 10 a.m. (11:30 a.m. Manila time) gunning for a second win in three games.