Gilas Pilipinas overcame a slow start before ripping the game open in the third quarter for a 115-81 victory over Thailand. Gilas Pilipinas wins its 13th consecutive Southeast Asia Games men's basketball gold medal, and its 18th overall.
The Philippines continues its basketball dominance as Malaysia trails the Philippines in SEA Games basketball with two gold medals overall. Malaysia won in 1979 and 1989. Thailand settled for the silver, the same output it had in 2011 and 2013.
Matthew Wright, who missed all three of his 3-point attempts in the first half, caught fire in the third period.
The Fil-Canadian from Phoenix went 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, joining June Mar Fajardo and Chris Ross as Gilas outscored the Thais, 40-15, to turn a 9-point margin to a huge 88-54 lead.
"We didn't have a lot of time, and that was a little bit scary, but the guys are veterans. It's such a real honor to be around these guys and such an honor watching June Mar, Chris (Ross) and Matt really play," said Gilas coach Tim Cone, whose second coming to the national team produced a gold medal.
The two-time PBA grand slam coach's first national coaching stint happened in 1998 when he led the Philippines to a bronze medal finish in the Bangkok Asian Games.
"What we went through was not easy because we had to sacrifice a lot by going through twice-a-day practices," said Fajardo, who has been a regular fixture with Gilas since 2013. "But then, this is the result and I want to credit our coaching for preparing us well for this."
Thai-American guard Tyler Lamb tried to carry Thailand with 33 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. But slotman Chanatip Jakrawanwas was the only other Thai in double figure with 15 points.
Fajardo, who won his first SEA Games gold, led Gilas with 17 points and 13 rebounds, LA Tenorio had 16, while Wright and Vic Manuel had 14 apiece.
The Philippines won all four gold medals at stake in the basketball competition. The Gilas Women won the country's first gold medal in women's basketball by beating Thailand on Tuesday, while the two 3x3 teams won last week. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio thanked the Philippine Basketball Association for lending its players to the national teams.
"Mission accomplished!" Panlilio said. "Four gold medals for the Philippines in basketball capped by another dominant run by our Gilas Pilipinas men team."
"Congratulations to all the members of the team for this flawless performance and to all Filipino basketball fans, we thank you for the support, and we hope we made you proud."
THE SCORES
GILAS PILIPINAS 115 - Fajardo 17, Tenorio 16, Standhardinger 16 , Manuel 14, Wright 14, Pringle 13, Ravena 10, Ross 8, Lassiter 3, Aguilar 2, Rosario 2, Slaughter 0
THAILAND 81 - Lamb 33, Jakrawan 15, Leelapipatkul 7, Suttisin 7, Jaisanuk 6, Chanthacon 6, Muangboon 3, Chungyampin 2, Klahan 1, Ananti 0, Apiromvilaichai 0
EXTRA DRIBBLES
Gilas dominated Thailand with its huge 54-36 rebounding advantage as well as having more assists, 29-14.
The Thais, who finished third place in the 2017 SEA Games edition in Kuala Lumpur, collected their eighth silver to go along with the same number of bronze medals.
Kiefer Ravena became the first player to win five basketball gold medals in the SEA Games. He began his SEA Games career by suiting up in the 2011 edition.