Gilas Pilipinas stages thrilling comeback to secure spot in 32nd SEA Games Basketball

Final

Phnom Penh, Cambodia - In a high-stakes knockout semifinal match at the 32nd Southeast
Asian (SEA) Games Basketball tournament, Gilas Pilipinas displayed resilience and
determination to secure a hard-fought victory against Indonesia. The game, held on Monday,
May 15, 2023, at the scorching Morodok Techo Stadium, showcased an electrifying
showdown between the two basketball powerhouses.

Seeking redemption from their previous edition's loss to Indonesia in Vietnam, Gilas
Pilipinas came prepared to leave everything on the court. The final score of 84-76 in favor of
Gilas Pilipinas tells the story of a gripping encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats
throughout the game.

Leading the charge for Gilas Pilipinas was the outstanding performance of Justin Brownlee.
The versatile forward showcased his skillset by notching an impressive stat line of 34 points,
9 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Brownlee's heroics, combined with the
contributions of Ganuelas-Rosser and Arvin Tolentino, who scored 13 and 10 points
respectively, proved pivotal in Gilas Pilipinas' triumph.

The match history between these two teams added an extra layer of intensity to the contest. In
the previous edition of the SEA Games, Gilas Pilipinas suffered an agonizing 85-81 loss to
Indonesia, resulting in a silver medal finish for the Philippine squad for the first time in three
decades. This semifinal clash provided an opportunity for redemption and a chance to rewrite
the narrative.

The game witnessed several thrilling highlights that kept fans on their feet. With just three
minutes remaining, Justin Brownlee's back-to-back three-pointers turned the tide in favor of
Gilas Pilipinas, providing the much-needed boost to secure the victory. The team's resilience
was evident as they erased a 32-42 deficit in the first half and overcame a 64-71 shortfall in
the middle of the fourth quarter, powering an impressive 22-5 run.

Commenting on Brownlee's performance and the challenging weather conditions, Philippine

head coach Chot Reyes emphasized the importance of keeping the star player fresh. "The
important thing now is we're able to keep him fresh. Hopefully, his body is acclimatizing to
the heat, but also the suffocating denseness of the air," said Reyes in a post-game interview.

With this thrilling victory, Gilas Pilipinas secures their spot in the final of the 32nd SEA
Games Basketball tournament, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated showdown against
their yet-to-be-determined opponent. The team's resilience, determination, and unwavering
spirit demonstrated in this semifinal encounter undoubtedly make them a formidable force to
be reckoned with.

Final Scores:

Philippines 84 – Brownlee 34, Rosser 13, Tolentino 10, Lastimosa 9, Lassiter 9, Newsome 4,
Perez 2, Ross 2, Standhardinger 1

Indonesia 76 – Prosper 26, Beane 12, Dhyaksa 9, Diagne 9, Jawato 8, Gemilang 6,

Kokodiputra 3, Kosasih 2, Saputra 1