MANILA, Philippines – The Gilas cadet team braces for an expected showdown with host Thailand today after walloping winless Indonesia, 83-52, in the penultimate playdate of the 2016 SEABA Stankovic Cup elimination round in Bangkok, Thailand last night.
The Filipinos simply outclassed the Indonesians, pulling away from a 14-all count en route to a third straight win following a 108-84 whipping of the Malaysian Sunday and an 81-59 drubbing of the Singaporeans Tuesday.
Thailand and Singapore were up against each other in a crucial tiff at press time.
A win by Thailand would render the Philippine-Thailand match today just a fight for placing, with the two teams to face off again in the gold-medal match on Saturday.
But a victory by Singapore would keep the finals race wide open among the Filipinos, the Thais and the Singaporeans.
The two teams that advance to the gold-medal match qualify for the 2016 FIBA Asia Challenge set in Tehran, Iran late this year.
In preparation for the Thais, the Gilas cadets stuck on their half-court sets, piling up 32 points in the paint, 33 from turnovers and nothing on fastbreak.
FEU teammates Chris Tolomia and Roger Pogoy took their turn to pace the team with 12 points apiece, while UST’s Kevin Ferrer chipped in 10 markers and five boards.
Team Phl again worked on a balanced game with Jiovani Jalalon, Troy Rosario, Mac Belo and Ken Holmqvist contributing at least seven points each.