#SEAGames2019: Gilas could have opted to play "streetball", but chose not to

With the semifinal slot in the men's basketball tournament locked up with ease following their romp of lowly Myanmar, Gilas Pilipinas could have opted to play more freely and do some flashy moves.

But coach Tim Cone was having none of it, with Indonesia and former Gilas mentor Rajko Toroman waiting in the wings.

"Our purpose is to go out. Use this game to get ready for the next one, and show respect to our opponent," said the two-time Grand Slam winner after their 69 point rout Saturday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena.

However, the win was not even a cakewalk early in the opening frame when Aung Myint went on a tear to open the game, launching long bombs in succession for 16 first quarter as Myanmar inched to within eight before Gilas went on a tear in the following quarter.

"Yeah, he was awesome. He was making incredible shots, In the beginning, we took him for granted. Credit to him, he was a nice player. He surprised us earlier in the game."

After that second quarter blowout, Gilas could have opted to go easy on them says Matthew Wright but the Phoenix marksman says there is no time for that after that scare in the first quarter.

"I think it was a little bit of challenge, but I think that was what coach TIm wanted us to accomplish," he said. "Not just go out there, just freelance and play street ball."

"We easily could have done that, but that's not gonna do us any justice."

Heading into their medal rounds, the former ABL champion with the Malaysia Dragons is now having their eyes set on Indonesia later tonight.

"We're using this as a barometer to see where we at, also to keep us sharp defensively."

As the game had been already in the bag, Coach Tim could not hide his humorous smile when the crowd had sarcastically turned against them in the last two minutes, which even chanted DEFENSE on every Gilas possession.

"That didn't bother us," Cone said. "We thought that was funny. The crowd wanted to entertain themselves."

Photo by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas