PHNOM PENH—The Philippines settled for silver-medal finishes in the finals of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games 3-on-3 men’s and women’s basketball at the Morodok Techno Elephant Hall on Sunday.
The PH men’s side, led by Almond Vosotros, managed to stay close, but eventually succumbed to the imposing Cambodian team of naturalized players, 15-20, in the finals.
Sayeed Alkabir Pridgett, a 24-year-old American pro, led the Cambodians with 10 points.
Vosotros also had 10 points for the Filipinos.
Cambodia’s team stepped up with its defense after Lervin Flores brought the Filipinos close, 15-17, but Pridgett scored the final points with his deuce and drive in the last 5.2 seconds.
“Everybody knows that they’re mostly imports. But we did our best and played our best,” said Gilas men’s 3×3 coach Lester del Rosario.
Meanwhile, defense on Jack Animam held down the Filipinas in the last two minutes, allowing the Vietnamese to prevail, 21-16, for the gold.
Coach Patrick Aquino said Gilas Women still had a better showing after finishing empty handed last year.
“Luck was not on our side this time around after losing the first game, and making it to the championship, and losing it. But’s it’s better than the last SEA Games,” said Aquino.