MATTHEW Wright struck the hardest in the absence of Andray Blatche last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Playing for only 15 minutes, Wright delivered 19 points as Gilas Pilipinas swamped Vietnam, 107-52, in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (Seaba) Men’s Championship.
Wright, a newcomer in the national squad, knocked in two of his seven treys in the first period to help power the nationals to their fifth straight victory.
They stayed tied in the lead with Indonesia, which earlier mauled Myanmar, 123-50, with Abraham Grahita shooting 19 points.
In another game, Chitchai Ananti led with 17 points for Thailand as it prevailed over Singapore, 67-51.
Wright's first trey came in the last 6:30 of the first period, touching off a 14-0 run that allowed the Philippines to take the upperhand, 18-5. Wright’s next trey widened their edge to 14 at 21-7.
With the Philippines and Indonesia tied going into the final day, their showdown is now considered the championship match.
The winner not only gets the crown, it will also grab the lone slot to the FIBA Asia Championship in Beirut.
Raymund Almazan and Calvin Abueva knocked in 16 points apiece for Gilas Pilipinas, which went on to grab a 53-29 halftime spread.
National coach Chot Reyes said he banked on a new starting five after Blatche needed to rest due to a minor hamstring injury.
"But it was pretty understandable because the guys came off a hard game last night, and they're subconsciously already thinking about or preparing for the harder game tomorrow,” said Reyes.
Blatche is expected to be back in time for an all-important game with Indonesia Thursday.
Gilas moved ahead by 45 points following a 15-0 blast late in the third quarter for an 83-38 spread.