Romwel Anzures

Gilas Pilipinas sniper Matthew Wright against Vietnam in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo courtesy of POC Media Pool.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1.5"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765779308932IMG_9537.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Gilas Pilipinas sniper Matthew Wright against Vietnam in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. <em>Photo courtesy of POC Media Pool.</em></span></span></span></div><p>(<strong>UPDATED</strong>) Gilas Pilipinas is off to the semifinals of the men’s basketball 5-on-5 event of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.</p><p>The Philippines shrugged off a slow start to fend off Vietnam, 78-67, in their Monday afternoon matchup at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok, a victory that allowed them to sweep the pool phase.</p><div style="line-height:1.5"><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/12/14/seag-gilas-men-pull-away-from-malaysia-for-triumphant-start-1748"><strong>READ: Gilas Men pull away from Malaysia for triumphant start</strong></a></div><p>Leading the Nationals was JP Erram, who finished with 15 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a block. Also key were Robert Bolick, who scored 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, along with Matthew Wright and Jamie Malonzo, who tallied 14 and 10 points, respectively.</p><p>&quot;It was a hard-earned win,&quot; said Gilas head coach Norman Black, who needed Wright to come alive late in the first half to help erase a 14-point deficit. &quot;It was a difficult game for us. The Vietnamese team played very well, and we struggled defensively again.&quot;</p><p>Up next for Gilas, which is seeking to defend its SEA Games gold medal, is a semifinal matchup on Thursday against an opponent yet to be determined.</p><p>As they aim for their 20th gold medal in the biennial meet, Gilas will need to replicate their late-game execution against Vietnam.</p><p>With the Philippines clinging to a 64-62 lead, Bolick and Erram drilled back-to-back triples to stretch the margin to eight with under two minutes remaining.</p><p>Vietnam responded and trimmed the deficit to five, 72-67, but Bolick and Malonzo sealed the win by going a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line in the final minute.</p><p>Leading Vietnam were Huynh Phu Vinh Nguyen and Minh An Du, who scored 19 points apiece.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Scores:</strong></div><p><strong>Gilas Pilipinas 78</strong> – Erram 15, Wright 14, Bolick 13, Malonzo 10, Panopio 7, Parks 6, Ravena 5, Manzano 4, Chua 4, Tratter 0, Pessumal 0, Du 0.</p><p><strong>Vietnam 67</strong> – Hunyh Phu 19, Tran 19, Dierker 8, Vo 8, Dang 4, Truc Nhan 3, Young 2, Anh Kiet 2, Thanh Tam Dinh 2</p><p><strong>Quarterscores</strong>: 16-21; 37-41; 61-60; 78-67.</p><div style="line-height:1.5"><br/></div>

<p>#2025SEAGames || #GilasPilipinas is off to the semifinals of the men’s basketball 5-on-5 event of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games after fending off Vietnam.</p>

#2025SEAGames || #GilasPilipinas is off to the semifinals of the men’s basketball 5-on-5 event of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games after fending off Vietnam.

SEAG: Gilas Men buck slow start, fend off pesky Vietnam to book semis ticket

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

SEAG: Gilas Men buck slow start, fend off pesky Vietnam to book semis ticket

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 15, 2025 02:26 PM PHT

|

Updated December 15, 2025 07:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

ABSSports

33rd Southeast Asian Games

2025 SEA Games

Gilas Pilipinas

Vietnam

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.