top of page

SEA GAMES: Philippines' Gilas Men and Women strike gold, repulse host Thailand

The kings and queens of Southeast Asian basketball have been crowned. Gilas Pilipinas Men and Gilas Pilipinas Women, despite facing fierce opponents, a hostile home crowd, and constantly-changing eligibility rules, repulsed host Thailand for the Men's and Women's basketball crowns.

Riz Pulumbarit

20 December 2025 at 10:19:03

Southeast Asian Games, Men's Basketball Gold Medal Match, Thailand vs Philippines, Nimibutr Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand, December 19, 2025. Gold medallists team Philippines celebrate during the medal ceremony.

Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters

The kings and queens of Southeast Asian basketball have been crowned.  Gilas Pilipinas Men and Gilas Pilipinas Women, despite facing fierce opponents, a hostile home crowd, and constantly-changing eligibility rules, repulsed host Thailand for the Men's and Women's basketball crowns.


It wasn't smooth sailing for both Gilas teams. Philippine basketball organizers had to scramble in putting together player lineups as host Thailand kept flip-flopping on eligibility rules up to the last minute. The lineups of Gilas Men and Gilas women were changed every time a new rule came out. There was either little left in the original lineup or key players all of a sudden became ineligible.


Thailand's basketball teams were no pushovers either. Gilas men trailed 32-19 in the first quarter until the Philippines fought back to trail at 38-29 at the half. After the game was tied  at 41-all in the third quarter, Gilas never looked back and dominated the rest of the game with a 70-64 victory.


Gilas Women, who played before the Men's game, eked out a 73-70 victory against a gritty Thai squad. Despite having a 10-point lead in the last few minutes of the fourth, Thailand fought back to trail by just two points, 72-70 with barely a minute left in the game.


A block from Kacey Dela Rosa and a free throw from Chack Cabinbin held back the Thais with 16.9 seconds left. A three-point attempt by Thailand at the last second failed as Gilas Women and Filipino fans in the crowd and outside the stadium erupted in celebration.


The men's team defended their crown while the women's team got back theirs.

TOP STORIES

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now
EXPLAINER: How is the Nobel Peace Prize decided?

EXPLAINER: How is the Nobel Peace Prize decided?

Start Now
Trump likely among 287 nominees for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

Trump likely among 287 nominees for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

Start Now
Former Russian President questions suitability of US to play role of conflict mediator

Former Russian President questions suitability of US to play role of conflict mediator

Start Now

LATEST NEWS

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now

Add a Title

Start Now
Four people rescued after bus falls into river Seine near Paris

Four people rescued after bus falls into river Seine near Paris

Start Now
Last day of US visit: King Charles to pay respects to war dead in  Arlington National Cemetery

Last day of US visit: King Charles to pay respects to war dead in Arlington National Cemetery

Start Now
Israel intercepted ships carrying aid for Gaza in international waters, organizers say

Israel intercepted ships carrying aid for Gaza in international waters, organizers say

Start Now

PARALUMAN NEWS

© 2025 Paraluman News Publication

bottom of page