The 33-year reign of Gilas Pilipinas in men’s basketball in SEA Games has ended with only a four points deficit and coach Chot Reyes shared that the blame is for him to take.

“Obviously that’s on me. I take full accountability and responsibility for the result. Like I said, they tried their best and that’s sports. That’s life. Sometimes, things don’t work out the way we played,” he said.

“Indonesia came up with a very good game plan. They shot well from the three-point line. In the end, we just couldn’t match it. 

The Gilas squad that is full-packed with professional players had to face the former NBA player Marques Bolden, Brandon Jawato, and Derrick Michael Xzavierro with five players from the Indo poured double digits and four players in the Philippines.

And with Japeth Aguilar’s absence from the team due to injury pierced a big hole in the team as coach Chot affirmed that Japeth is ‘mobile big man’ essential for rebound, block shots, setting wide screens, and post up.

However, despite Aguilar and Dwight Ramos, and Robert Bolick’s nonappearance, Gilas was able to keep their zone with only three or four deficits in the first three quarters.

Chalking up 23 points, Matthew Wright tried to lead Gilas but missed the chance to turn the tides against Indonesia after a failed attempt of three with 40 seconds left in the last quarter 79-81.

Yet coach Chot affirmed that his players played their best. “But still, no excuses. I thought we still have the team that could get the job done and we came up short.”

The Scores 

Indonesia 85 – Bolden 18, Grahita, 17, Xzavierro 14, Jawato 11, Goantara 11, Prastawa 8, Kokodiputra 5, Saputera 1, Kosasih 0, Wisnu 0. 

Philippines – Wright 23, Fajardo 20, T. Ravena 17, Rosario 12, Ravena 9, Montalbo 0, Tautuaa 0, Pogoy 0. 

Quarters: 18-14, 36-32, 63-60, 85-81.