#SEAGames2019: Gilas Pilipinas complete golden hoops sweep after demolishing Thailand

PASAY CITY -- Host nation Philippines completed a rare sweep of all SEA Games basketball competition after they demolished Thailand 115-81 in the Men's Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Inspired by their female counterparts earlier when they struck gold for the very first time, coach Tim Cone's Gilas Men did not let the 12,462 strong crowd down and scored their 18th gold medal in the biennial meet, winning their thirteenth consecutive title in the showpiece event as the Philippines swept not just the full five-on-five game, but also the 3x3 variant to claim all four titles in both the men's and women's division.

Seven players for Gilas scored in double figures as the big men duo of five-time PBA MVP Junemar Fajardo and Christian Stanhardinger brought the pain on to the Thais as they posted double-double performances to win their debut gold in the SEA Games.

The Kraken fired 17 points and 13 rebounds in 21 and a half minutes while the workhorse NorthPort big man added 16 points and 11 rebounds off the bench to negate Tyler Lamb's explosion.

Lamb, who played for Mono Vampire in the ABL, had 33 points on an 11/25 shooting from the field in more than 32 minutes for Thailand coach Chris Daleo, who only had Chanatip Jakrawan the other player in double figures with 15.

However, Thailand put an early scare in the first when they take a one-point lead as Lamb scored all of the team's first seven points, but Gilas replied with a 11-0 run to take away the quarter to lead by eight.

But Gilas could not take the game away yet in the second as the visitors matched their shots, after posting double-digit leads, with Thailand only trailing by nine at the break.

The host responded with a solid 40-point third quarter that virtually gave them the gold medal.

The scores: 

PHILIPPINES 115 - Fajardo 17, Standhardinger 16, Tenorio 16, Wright 14, Manuel 14, Pringle 13, Ravena 10, Ross 8, Lassiter 3, Rosario 2, Aguilar 2, Slaughter 0.

THAILAND 81 - Lamb 33, Jakrawan 15, Suttisin 7, Leelapipatkul 7, Jaisanuk 6, Chanthacon 6, Muangboon 3, Chungyampin 2, Klahan 1, Langsui 1, Apiromvilaichai 0, Ananti 0.

Quarter scores: 25-17, 48-39, 88-54, 115-81

Photo by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas