Jamie Malonzo made an impact in Gilas Pilipinas' finals-clinching win over Indonesia in the SEA Games 2025, and that did not escape the eye of teammate Thirdy Ravena.
Thirdy Ravena lauded teammate Jamie Malonzo after Gilas Pilipinas’ survived Indonesia, 71-68, in the SEA Games 2025 men's 5x5 basketball semifinals in Thailand Thursday, Dec. 18.
Ravena made special mention of the former Ginebra cager after the Nationals shook off an endgame scare from their foes to advance to the gold medal match.
“I want to thank Jamie. We have to commend Jamie,” said Ravena after the match.
[RELATED STORY: Gilas bucks slow start anew, foils Indonesia to advance to SEAG Finals]
Indeed, Malonzo was a little extra on the defensive end, putting up a game-high five steals and a block on top of his 13 points and three rebounds.
“Jamie did everything we had to do, the dirty job. He made it possible for us to win today,” added Ravena.
[RELATED STORY: Gilas Pilipinas, Thailand battle for basketball supremacy in SEA Games finals]
It was Ravena, though, who topscored for the Philippines with 18 points he laced with six rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Ray Parks logged 12 markers and seven boards, while Robert Bolick added 10 points and six rebounds for the Filipinos, who recovered from another sloppy start.
Down 15-27 at the end of the opening period, Gilas came alive in the second period to outgun Indonesia, 18-7.
[RELATED STORY: GILAS SCHEDULE | Philippine basketball at SEA Games 2025]
The Nationals were in the driver’s seat after that before surviving a late Indonesia rally that saw the latter go on a 14-0 rampage to close in, 68-70.
Gilas then forced Indonesia to commit a shot clock violation before Bolick split his shots from the foul line.
Then, the Filipino dribblers did not give their foes a clear vision from the three-point zone as time expired.
“Grabe. This game, talagang na-test nila ang teamwork namin. Bilog ang bola ng basketball. Hindi mo alam, may lamang kami noong fourth quarter, medyo nag-relax kami sa defense at nakahabol sila,” said Ravena.
Derrick Xzavierro paced Indonesia with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
(With reports from Nic Earnshaw/Cignal)
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.