BANGKOK— The Gilas Pilipinas women squad heeded the deafening chants of “Defense! Defense!” by the horde of its Filipino supporters when it mattered most against hard-fighting Thailand Friday night.

Needing one big stop to finally put away the hosts, the Pinay belles forced Kanokwan Prajuapsook to miss a well-challenged three-point try at the buzzer and hacked out a scintillating 73-70 decision to regain the gold medal in the women’s basketball tournament of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Nimibutr Stadium here.

In a sea of 3,249 people that included Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Ricky Vargas, and executive director Erika Dy, veteran skipper Afril Bernardino turned in a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Philippines while Kacey Dela Rosa ably backed her up with 17 points and 16 boards.

Sophia Dignadice also had 10 points and two assists as the Gilas women team reached the Promised Land anew after settling for the silver in the Phnom Penh edition of the biennial meet two years ago.

“I can’t say anything about the girls. I’m so proud of them. They gave their all. I also like to thank Thailand also for playing a good game today. It’s been a hard battle going for the gold,” Gilas women coach Patrick Aquino said. “Hopefully, mas marami pang dumating a gold medals for the Philippines.

“Mas sweeter ito kasi wala tayo sa Pilipinas. Ito talaga ang pinaghirapan nila. It was a tough game. Talagang suwertehan lang,” added Aquino, who added a third mint to his previous two won in Manila (2019) and in Hanoi (2022).

The Gilas women side held a 50-43 lead at the half that they stretched to as much as 55-43 midway through the third but the Thais whittled it to 58-65 heading into the final stanza.

Boosted by its boisterous backers, the host used a 7-0 run to cut a 72-63 Gilas women advantage to just 72-70.

A Chuck Cabinbin free throw made it a 73-70 count in the last 16.9 seconds before the Philippines turned the ball over on a shot clock violation that gave the Thais a lifeline.

But it wasn’t meant to be for Thailand which got 17 points and six rebounds from Supavadee Kunchuan’s and a combined 31 form Rattiyakorn Udomsuk and Prajuapsook.

The Gilas women quintet will need the roars of “Defense! Defense!” again—the next time the Pinoy crowd shows up—but in Malaysia in their title defense in 2027.