Riding a three-game winning streak, the Gilas Pilipinas Men 3x3 team now enter the semifinals, charging full steam ahead in their quest to reclaim gold at SEA Games 2025.
Still unbeaten — and still in command.
Gilas Pilipinas Men 3x3 stamped their class once again, rolling to a third straight victory with a 21–10 dismantling of Laos at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Thursday, December 11, at Nimbutir Stadium.
Already assured of a semifinal spot, the Gilas Men pressed on in their group finale, keeping their sights set on a redemption run.
Gilas wasted no time setting the tone, exploding to an 8–2 start behind crisp ball movement and relentless pressure.
Laos briefly found life, cutting the lead to 12–9 on a Duangdeuane Phoummalin two-pointer with 6:14 to play — but that was as close as they would get.
From there, Gilas flipped the switch and unleashed a solid 9–1 finishing kick capped by a Joseph Eriobu lay up to seal the deal.
“Tatlong laro and na-sweep natin ‘yung elimination round. Pero kagaya nung sinabi ni Ange (Kouame) is hindi kami pwede maging complacent,” Eribou said in an interview with Cignal.
The Philippines will face the second-ranked team from Group A—likely the winner of the Indonesia–Singapore matchup—with the first semifinal scheduled for 5:20 p.m.
“Kumbaga hindi double effort, triple effort pa ‘yung kailamgan naming gawin para makapasok sa sa gold medal match," Eriobu added.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.