#SEAGames2019: Gilas Women gets golden revenge on Thailand to claim maiden 3x3 crown

The Philippines picked up the maiden gold medal in 3x3 Basketball at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games after defeating Thailand in the thrilling final, 17-11 in front of its cheering home town crowd inside the FilOil FlyingV Centre in San Juan.

With the overtime loss to their visitors still fresh in their minds, the Gilas Pilipinas Women quartet imposed their sheer experience and chemistry to defeat the Thais as Afril Bernardino took over with the chants of MVP roaring on the background.

The former Queen Bulldog fired 10 points in the gold medal game, including 10 of the last 12 points as the host nation made history in the most favorite game of the Filipinos.

Presenting an array of moves that made her one of the reliable mainstays of coach Patrick Aquino, Bernardino orchestrated a back-breaking 8-0 run by hitting six of those beginning with a top of the key two-pointer to break the five-all tie into a 13-5 edge before adding that up-and-under move over Kanokwan Prajuapsook to give Gilas Women the biggest lead at 10, 16-6.

Thailand fired five to halve the lead to 16-11, but Bernardino hit another driving bucket in the final two minutes, before sealing the gold when she blocked Amphawa Thuamon with 18 seconds remaining.