JAKARTA –As expected, the Philippines won its opening match with ease, plastering Cambodia, 127-68, at the start of the 26th Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tournament at the Britama Arena.

Formed just two weeks before departing Manila, the Filipino cagers spent the early minutes of the opening quarter to get their bearing before steadily pouring it on for the lopsided outcome.

“Basically we set our offense on motion early in the game. We really don’t know much about the Cambodians,” said Philippine coach Norman Black, who also issued kind words on three good players from Cambodia who turned out to be with some foreign pedigree.

The win pushed the Philippines into a tie with Thailand, which demolished Vietnam, 85-54, for the early lead in Group A.

Kiefer Ravena, a member of newly-crowned UAAP champion Ateneo, provided the needed leadership in the team scoring 17 points, mostly on incursions.

“It’s a good thing we were able to execute our plays the way we wanted. We’ll take a rest and then focus on the game each day so we could live up to being one of the top teams here,” said Ravena.

All of Black’s choices for the game delivered with Garvo Lanete, Nic Salva, David Marcelo, Christopher Ellis, and Bobby Parks scoring at least 10 points each.

In sharp contrast, only five scored for Cambodia, led by Sophoeun Oeun and Pek Mith who, according to Cambodian coach Koledaye Abay Omi, both have American blood and actually grew in the US. Oeun led Cambodia with 16 points, while Pek added 12.

In contrast, the women’s basketball team also went through some excruciating moments before overcoming defending champion Malaysia, 64-56 also at the Britama Arena.

The Filipino girls entered the fourth quarter carrying what looked like a comfortable 13-point lead (51-38) but the Malaysians were bent for a comeback chewing away nine points of that deficit.

A three-pointer by Joan Grajales which barely beat the shot-clock was the quick stopper against the Malaysians’ guns, while Maria Lalaine Flormata and Merenciana Arayi came up with a basket each as the Philippines remained ahead, 58-47 with a little over four minutes left.

Down but not out, the Malaysians resorted anew to full court press and almost succeeded when they came within 51-58 on a basket by Wei Yin Saw.


The scores:

Philippines (127) – Ravena 17, Ryan Garcia 16, Lanete 15, Nic Salva 14, David Marcelo 12, Christopher Ellis 12, Bobby Parks 10, Cliff Hodge 9, Tiu 9, Jake Pascual 6, Greg Slaughter 5, Monfort 2,

Cambodia (68) – Pek Mith 24, Sophooeun Oeun 24, Boroth 15, Kim Vengngoun 3, Monh Putratana 2.

Quarterscores: 35-20, 61-39, 93-56, 127-68.


Phils. (64) – Arayi 16, Grajales 11, Borja 11, Jacob 7, Flormata 6, Almajan 5, Jose 3, Gloriani 2, Adriano 2, Lomogda 0, Limgenco 0.

Malaysia (56) – Rajintiran 12, Swik May Kaw 11, Yong Shin Min 9, Wei Yin Saw 7, Woon Yuen Teo 7, Shook Ying Hee 3.

Quartercores: 21-6, 36-28, 51-38, 64-56