Gilas bucks gradual begin, pummels Malaysia to kick off SEA Video games title protection

Ray Parks exhibits the way in which in a blistering first-half end as Gilas Pilipinas begins its quest for a twentieth Southeast Asian Video games gold medal in convincing trend

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Gilas Pilipinas recovered from a gradual begin to extinguish Malaysia, 83-58, in its 2025 Southeast Asian Video games opener on the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Sunday, December 14. 

Ray Parks confirmed the way in which with 18 factors, half of which got here in a blistering 20-0 run to finish the primary half that paved the way in which for the Philippines to enhance to 1-0 in Group A.

Robert Bolick backstopped Parks with 17 factors, whereas Thirdy Ravena added 13 factors and 10 rebounds for the hastily-assembled squad that underwent a number of lineup revisions as a result of hosts’ flip-flopping on eligibility guidelines.

Gilas trailed by as many as 7 factors within the opening quarter, 15-22, however flipped the change within the second interval, the place it outscored Malaysia 26-4 to take a 42-26 lead at halftime.

That second body included a 20-0 end sparked by 9 straight factors from Parks and the Filipinos by no means appeared again.

Malaysia remained inside shouting distance trailing 51-62 on the finish of the third quarter, however Gilas reasserted management en path to the 25-point romp.

“We’ve got to get higher because the event goes on. That is truly our first sport as a gaggle. Once I say first sport, I imply that is actually our first sport,” Gilas head coach Norman Black instructed Filipino reporters in Bangkok.

“Defensively, we performed nicely within the second and fourth quarters. First and third quarter, we weren’t that good. So we simply work to enhance.”

Malaysia dropped to 1-1. 

Gilas instantly plunges again to motion on Monday, December 15, because it shoots for a 2-0 document in opposition to Vietnam.

In the meantime, Gilas Girls climbed to 2-0 on Sunday following 92-59 beating of Singapore led by Kacey dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa completed with 22 factors and 6 rebounds.

The Scores

Philippines 83 – Parks 18, Bolick 17, Ravena 13, Panopio 7, Malonzo 7, Erram 7, Wright 5, Chua 4, Pessumal 3, Tratter 2, Manzano 0, Pre 0.

Malaysia 58 – Ting 21, J.Okay.C. Wong 13, Chin 9, J.S.W.L. Lee 7, Mahadevan 3, Yong 3, J.H. Lee 2, De 0, Chang 0, Ooi 0, Wong 0.

Quarters: 16-22, 42-26, 62-51, 83-58.

– Rappler.com