BANGKOK— Gilas Pilipinas held Malaysia to four points in the second quarter on its way to an emphatic 83-58 victory and launched its title-retention bid on high in Group A action of the men’s basketball tournament of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Nimibutr Stadium Sunday here.
In front of a big Filipino crowd at the arena, Ray Parks totaled 18 points laced with six rebounds and two assists for the Philippines, while Robert Bolick added 17 points and six boards.

Thirdy Ravena also had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds as Gilas eyes a sweep of its Pool assignment and a semifinals spot when it faces Vietnam Monday at the same venue.

While satisfied with his wards’ opening game win, National coach Norman Black admitted they can only get better—especially on the defensive end.

“We have to get better as the tournament goes on. This was our first game in the group so when I say first game, first game talaga. Defensively, we played well in the second and third quarter,” Black said. “We weren’t that good in the first and fourth quarter. So, we just have to work and improve, watch the tapes, and figure out how we can get better while we’re here.

“Hopefully, we’ll get another victory against Vietnam in our next game,” he added.

With Parks doing the damage offensively, the Philippine five’s stingy defense also spelled the difference that turned a 16-22 early deficit into a 42-26 spread at the half.

Gilas still held a 62-51 edge going into the fourth quarter, with two free throws by Dalph Panopio giving the Pinoy cagers their biggest lead that also stood as the final count in the last 1:24.