Gilas cadets survive gritty Thais

Game tomorrow

6 p.m. – Philippines vs Myanmar

KUALA LUMPUR – Christian Standhardinger played the very role he was tasked to do – and more – in rushing from Beirut to catch the Philippines-Thailand matchup on opening day of the SEA Games men’s basketball here.

The Fil-German center/forward provided the Gilas cadet team the needed inside presence and delivered big plays in the crunch to make up for his free throw woes as the Filipinos squeezed out an 81-74 win over a hard-fighting Thai side before a raucous packed crowd at the MABA Gymnasium last night.

SEAG veterans Kiefer Ravena, Baser Amer, Troy Rosario and Bobby Ray Parks came through with their key exploits at the finish as Team Phl survived the Thai squad fired up by naturalized player Tyler Lamb.

Ravena and Amer hit a pair of open jumpers in the clutch and Standhardinger imposed his will inside the paint and off the boards as the Filipinos escaped what could’ve been a disastrous start to their drive for a 13th straight championship in the biennial games.

The Thais pushed the Filipinos to the limit but the Gilas cadets cashed in on the ouster of Lamb due to fouls with 4:47 left to play.

Barely on top at 77-74 inside the final minute, the Filipinos eventually finished off the Thais as Standhardinger scored on a semi-hook off towering defender Chanatup Jakrawan then grabbed the defensive rebound after a Thai miss.

At the buzzer, the Filipino crowd spilled onto the court in a frenzied celebration of Gilas’ hard-earned victory.

The Nationals take a rest today before playing their second game at 6 p.m. tomorrow versus Myanmar.

Gilas coach Jong Uichico expressed relief after barely surviving the gritty Thais.

“We played a bad game. We gave them so much opportunities for second-chance baskets,” said Uichico, ruing their 42-50 setback in rebounds.

It could’ve been worse if Standhardinger stayed in Beirut to finish the FIBA Asia Cup.

Standhardinger collected double-double numbers with 15 points and 10 rebounds although he missed seven of his 14 free throws.

Rosario came up with his own double-double game with 16 markers and 10 boards while Parks and Ravena chipped in 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Parks also carried a big task of defending Lamb.

The Thai naturalized player showed a great touch from afar, firing away four treys and went on to lead all scorers with 17 points.

Lamb, however, went to foul-trouble situation early and took the exit on a warding foul on Parks after losing ball possession.

The scores:

Philippines 81 – Rosario 16, Standhardinger 15, Parks 14, Ravena 11, Tolomia 8, Amer 6, Jose 6, Vosotros 3, Ferrer 2, Paras 0, Pessumal 0.

Thailand 74 – Lamb 17, Samerjai 12, Ananti 11, Klahan 10, Jakrawan 9, Klahan B. 5, Kruatuwa 4, Aphromvilaichai 4, Chanthachon 2, Lakhan 0, Muangboon 0, Goghar 0.

Quarterscores: 22-12, 36-34, 60-59, 81-74