Photo credit: Pilipinas Live
Asia’s No. 7 Gilas Pilipinas Men secured a comeback win against host Thailand, 70–64, in the gold medal match of the men’s 5x5 basketball event at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. [FULL REPLAY VIDEO BY ONESPORTS]
Gilas successfully defended their SEA Games crown, denying Thailand their first-ever gold medal in the SEA Games. Gilas Men won their 20th gold medal, solidifying their reign as the kings of SEA Games basketball.
The Norman Black-mentored Gilas, after another slow start and trailing by 5 at the end of the first quarter, saw Thailand outscore the Philippines 16–12 in the second quarter to extend their lead at halftime, 38–29. Gilas’ team effort in the second half and key adjustments sparked a big third-quarter rally, 23–10, giving them a 52–48 lead at the end of the quarter. Poy Erram fouled out with 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter after back-to-back fouls and was substituted by Cedrick Manzano, who held his own against Thailand’s big men. Manzano finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist in 14 minutes of play.
Jamie Malonzo’s double-double leads Gilas with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting, grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds, along with 3 assists and 5 steals. Matthew Wright added 14 points, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, along with 3 rebounds. Robert Bolick finished with 10 points on 2-of-12 shooting, but was perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, adding 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal. Dalph Panopio had a solid game with 9 points, while JP Erram contributed 8 points and 6 rebounds.
Gilas shot 36% from the field (24-of-67), including 8-of-30 from three-point range. Thailand went 18-of-55 from the floor and hit 2-of-23 from beyond the arc. Gilas converted 14-of-17 free throws, while Thailand made 26-of-37. The Philippines outrebounded the hosts, 48–38, had more second-chance points, 24–9, recorded the same number of steals (10), had more assists (16–14), but committed more turnovers (19–15).
Meanwhile, in the battle for bronze, Indonesia got past Malaysia, 80–68, while Vietnam defeated Singapore, 96–58, to claim 5th place.
Gilas Pilipinas basketball strikes double gold as Gilas Pilipinas Women also defeated Thailand with a tough 73–70 win to reclaim the gold.
The Scores:
PHILIPPINES 70 - Malonzo 17, Wright 14, Bolick 10, Panopio 9, Erram 8, Ravena 5, Manzano 4, Parks Jr 3, Pessumal 0, Tratter 0, Chua 0, Pre DNP.
THAILAND 64 - Jakrawan 13, Ejesu 13, Diaby 7, Jaisanuk 6, Lish 6, Leelaphipatkul 6, Morgan 5, Thongpool 0, Jaimsawad 0, Thongpool 0, Franco DNP, Panichattra DNP.
Quarters: 17-22, 29-38, 52-48, 70-64. [FULL REPLAY VIDEO] | [HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO]
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