By Jay R. Gotera
MANILA — Japeth Aguilar played a monster game to power Gilas Pilipinas to a massive 108-53 victory over Thailand in Day 5 of the 2017 SEABA Championship on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Aguilar was simply unstoppable, leading all scorers with 23 points along with five rebounds in just 17 minutes of action. The 6’9” Barangay Ginebra star forward made all 10 of his field goal attempts, including a three-pointer, plus two high-reel dunks and a couple of blocks. His lone missed shot was from the free throw line, where he went 2-of-3.
Gilas thus posted its fourth straight victory, tying Indonesia at the top of the standings ahead of their much-awaited title showdown at the close of the tournament on Thursday. The Filipinos could face their biggest challenge against the Indonesians following the announcement that naturalized player Jamarr Johnson and American-Indon Arki Wisnu have gained their FIBA clearance to play for Indonesia.
Thailand suffered its second loss in five games. The Thais started strong, holding the Filipinos to 1-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc and forcing them to five turnovers with their sturdy defense in the first 12 minutes of the game.
The Thai starters fought the Gilas 5 of Andray Blatche, June Mar Fajardo, Allein Maliksi, RR Pogoy and Jayson Castro nearly on even terms in the first quarter, with Thailand even momentarily taking the lead at 8-7. Gilas led by just four points after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Gilas coach Chot Reyes fielded a second unit composed of Aguilar, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Troy Rosario, and Matthew Wright. That second unit, led by Aguilar, turned the game around as they propelled Gilas to a 51-26 lead at the half.
The Filipinos continued pouring on the points in the second half en route to another blowout game.
Abueva finished with 15 markers while Blatche and Romeo added 11 points apiece. Fajardo chipped in nine markers and a team-high 11 rebounds.
Malaysia 86, Vietnam 85
Malaysia nearly got upset by upstart Vietnam, eking out an 86-85 win in the first overtime of the tournament. Choo Wei Hong nailed the winning basket in the dying seconds, giving Malaysia just its second win in five games.
The Vietnamese absorbed their third loss in four games. Vietnam appeared on its way for an upset as they led by six points late in regulation. However, the Malaysians fought back to tie the game.
The two squads fought fiercely during the five-minute extension, with Malaysia finally getting edging Vietnam in the endgame.
Singapore 85, Myanmar 32
Singapore relied on their teenage giant V. Lavin Raj to beat Myanmar, 85-32. The 16-year-old 6’6” player, who was fielded for the first time in the tournament, led his team with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.
Raj shot a respectable 6-of-9 from the field and sank all 7 of his free throws. He subbed for starting center Delvin Goh, who the Singaporean coach chose to preserve for the last two days of competition where they face Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar remained winless after four games.
Games on Wednesday, May 17, 2017: Indonesia (4-0) vs. Myanmar (0-4); Thailand (3-2) vs. Singapore (1-3); and Philippines (4-0) vs. Vietnam (1-3).
