Gilas breezes through Singapore for 2nd SEABA win

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas met greater resistance this time. But the result was still the same.

Philippines defeated Singapore, 113-66 in the nightcap of the Saturday’s Southeast Asian Basketball Association’s (SEABA) Day 2 action at the Big Dome.

Calvin Abueva was again the team’s top performer after tallying 16 points. He registered five rebounds and two assists to go with his team-best production.

"We wanted to beat our hustle numbers for last night. I know that we did that in the first half," said Gilas head coach Chot Reyes. "But we had a poor second half--hustle-wise, effort-wise."

"We have to remain disciplined to be prepared for the tougher games ahead. We're looking at Malaysia and they're a tough-defending team. I really like their fight. I really like their spunk," he added.

Gilas scored in succession in the opening salvo before their foes were able to respond—the same way they opened their match against unranked Myanmar on Friday night. 

Only this time, the Singaporeans had it better—they were able to stop the early bleeding at 11, and lost only by 47 points. The Burmese’s first basket against the Filipinos was when the scoreboard read 17-0, and they lost by 107. 

"It wasn't like last night, because Singapore is a much better team. I think they're very well-coached, their offense is precise. And they're not giving us easy shots. Maybe that gives the appearance that we're a lot more deliberate," Reyes noted.

Wei Long Wong paced Singapore with 12 points. Larry Liew added 14 while John Ng chimed in 11 more.

Reyes and the hometown crew will take on a listless Malaysia side next. Singapore, which is also winless, will be taking a break.

The win puts the Philippines alongside Thailand and Indonesia with identical 2-0 records in the tournament that dangles a ticket to the FIBA Asia skirmish in Lebanon this August. 

The Scores:

PHILIPPINES 113 - Abueva 16, Blatche 14, Maliksi 14, Wright 13, Fajardo 11, Romeo 9, Pogoy 9, Rosario 9, Almazan 8, Jalalon 6, Aguilar 4, Castro William 0.

SINGAPORE 66 - Liew 14, Wong 12, Kwek 11, Ng HB 11, D. Goh 10, J. Ng 4, Cheok 2, Lim JY 1, Chia 1, J. Lim 0. Quarters: 31-9, 63-29, 89-51, 113-66.