Andray Blatche, back from a day’s absence, shot 21 points for Gilas Pilipinas as it completed a sweep of the 2017 Southeast Asia Basketball Association Championship.
Blatche joined hands with another big man June Mar Fajardo in scoring big baskets that gave the lead early to the hosts, allowing them to coast to a 97-64 romp over Indonesia last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
With their five-game sweep, the nationals earned a second straight crown and eighth overall in the tournament.
Jason Castro tallied 14 points, while Fajardo added 13 for the nationals, who formalized their entry to the Fiba Asia Cup in August.
The Indonesians, with Arki Wisnu firing 11 points, fought it out early before the Philippines found a hole in their zone defense.
Triples from Fajardo and Matthew Wright in the last 3:32 allowed the Philippines to move away and protect a 22-9 advantage.
Meanwhile, Batang Gilas drew 15 points from three teammates to finish with an 83-62 win over Malaysia on Thursday at the close of the Seaba Under-16 Championship.
Members of the champion Gilas team are about to receive their trophy at the victory podium. Roman Prospero
This gave Batang Gilas their fourth title in as many editions.
The win also put them in the 2017 Fiba Asia Under-16 Championship after securing one of the three slots allotted the Southeast Asia zone.
Kai Sotto, RC Calimag, and Terrence Fortea all topscored for 15 points.
“Nu'ng second half, doon tayo nag-remind sa players na i-lessen ‘yung three-point attempts nila at gamitin ‘yung advantage natin sa height,” said Batang Gilas coach Mike Oliver.
Batang Gilas started moving away on a 10-0 run that Sotto and Calimag initiated with their freebie and layup in the last 6:12.
From a slight 7-6 lead, Batang Gilas went on to protect a 22-6 edge in the remaining 3:06.
They then ended the first half strong, off a triple from Fortea and a buzzer-beating shot by Bismark Lina to take a 43-36 halftime lead.
