Gilas Pilipinas reclaims SEA Games basketball gold, beats Thailand

Gilas Pilipinas successfully defended its men's 5-on-5 basketball crown in the Southeast Asian Games, defeating host Thailand 70-64 in the gold medal match.

The Nationals staged an inspired comeback after falling behind by double digits, with key players like Jamie Malonzo, Robert Bolick, and Thirdy Ravena hitting crucial shots.

This victory served as vindication for the Filipino team, which faced challenges due to the organizers' flip-flopping eligibility rules on naturalized players.

The rule changes prevented the inclusion of prominent players such as Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame, forcing the team to adjust its roster.

Despite the setbacks, the team coached by Norman Black proved its capability by overcoming a Thai side that had dominated previous matches.