SEA Games: Gilas Pilipinas to play Singapore in opener

By Waylon Galvez

Gilas Pilipinas will face Singapore and not Malaysia for its first game after revisions were made on the groupings and schedules for the 30th Southeast Asian Games set Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 here.

The national team initially was with Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar in Group A, while in Group B were Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Singapore, but a slight error on ranking had to be corrected resulting to the changes in the schedule of the matches.

The updated groupings now have in Group A the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Myanmar, while in Group B are Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

“We’ve corrected that already with the SBP and with the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee,” said SBP’s deputy executive director Bernie Atienza, who is also the SEA Games basketball competitions manager.

“It’s just a slight error with regards to the ranking. The schedules of games are unofficial, although so far that’s the schedule. Everything will be finalized during the manager’s meeting.”

The opening game of basketball competitions is set Dec. 4 with the Philippines playing Singapore. The next two games are against Vietnam on Dec. 6 and Myanmar on Dec. 7.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the crossover semifinals scheduled Dec. 9, and the winners will play for the gold medal and the losing teams for the bronze medal on Dec. 10.

All games, including the women’s action, will be played at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City. The 3×3 men’s and women’s basketball action will be played at The Arena in San Juan.

Gilas Pilipinas, a team composed of PBA players under the league’s champion mentor Tim Cone, is eyeing for the home team a record 13th straight and 18th overall title in the SEA Games.

Last year, the national team won the gold medal with a convincing 94-55 victory against Indonesia in the finals. Thailand took the bronze  by beating Singapore in the battle for third place.

Source: Manila Bulletin