#SEAGAMES2019: Perkins shows way as Gilas Men goes 4-0 in record time at 3x3

With no prior experience in the short game, the Philippines made quick work of their opponents to go top of the pile at the end of Day 1 in the 3x3 men's tilt of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Sunday at the FilOil FlyingV Centre in San Juan.

Coach Ronnie Magsanoc's team had no 3x3 experience that Terrence Romeo and Alvin Pasaol has, but Jason Perkins made himself big as they walloped their opposition in record time to punch their progression into the medal rounds by winning all four games.

Joining the Hefty Lefty were Mo Tautuaa, Chris Newsome and Gilas regular CJ Perez who all made their debuts in 3x3.

The Phoenix Fuel Masters forward was the leading scorer in all of those wins, as they reached the 21-point mark with minutes to spare.

Indonesia were the closest threat to Gilas Men's 3x3, taking an early lead to start but the latter fought back to win 21-17, with Perkins scoring 9 points and dished out the game-winning assist to Perez who finished the contest with 1:58 remaining.

Myanmar were waylaid in the first of the Philippines' 21-10 wins with Perkins got his best scoring of the day with 10 including the clinching bucket with 3:25 left.

Then Vietnam were dismantled, 21-15 but not before inching to within three with less than a minute left before Perez electrified with a thundering dunk, and then finished it off with a dime to Tautuaa who hit the two-ball to hit the mark with 36.5 ticks left.

The former top overall pick in the PBA shared the top scoring honors with Perkins with eight each.

Finally, Gilas Men just ran riot on Thailand with yet another 21-10 rout in what was the biggest threat to their Gold Medal chase in which they broke the game wide open with a back-breaking 10-0 run before Newsome broke away from his defender for the game ball with 2:12 left.