SEA Games 2023 men's basketball: Gilas Pilipinas fall 68-79 to Cambodia
Head coach Chot Reyes tells Olympics.com he's "not making any excuses" after Cambodia deliver a shock blow to Philippines' title redemption hopes at the Morodok Techno National Stadium in Phnom Penh.
Basketball
The Philippines men’s basketball team have suffered their first loss of the 2023 SEA Games, falling 68-79 to Cambodia in their second preliminary round game of the tournament.
A strong opening period from the hosts meant the Filipinos were in chase mode from the get-go, watching as Cambodia surged to a 26-14 lead.
While the Pilipinas struggled to get their own shots to land the Cambodians soared with 3x3 gold medallist Darrin Dorsey, proving to be a particularly formidable foe. The naturalised player finished the game on top with 22 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
After going on a 9-0 run in the third, the Cambodians tightened the screw, at one point extending their lead to 20 points.
Despite the Pilipinas' best attempts to close the gap, the hotly contested game concluded the way of Cambodia leaving the Philippines with much to chew as they mull their gold-medal bid, sitting 1-1 after two games.
Their next match against Singapore will be a must-win if they are to keep their medal hopes alive.
Speaking after the game to Olympics.com Philippines head coach Chot Reyes said:
"I am not making any excuses. There were players who were affected by the conditions, Justin Brownlee one of them, and there were too many slip-ups here and there. We just have to get over this. Prepare better, look at the hydration of the players and move to the next match.
"We're still in it and when we hit the knockout stages we have to be tighter. The conditions are one thing, but it is the same for everybody, so we just have to get over it."
The Gilas Pilipinas will return to action on Saturday 13 May for their third and final preliminary round game against Singapore, which tips off at 13:00 (ICT).
Schedule for Philippines men's basketball team at SEA Games 2023
All local ICT times.
Group A preliminary rounds
- Tuesday 9 May - Philippines 94-49 Malaysia
- Thursday 11 May - Philippines 68-79 Cambodia
- Saturday 13 May - 13:00 - Singapore v Philippines
Knockout phase and medal rounds (if applicable)
Monday 15 May - Semi-finals:
- 13:00 - Men’s semi-final 1
- 17:00 - Men’s semi-final
Tuesday 16 May - Ranking matches
- 09:00 - 7th and 8th placings
- 11:00 - 5th and 6th placings
- 13:00 - Bronze play-off
- 15:00 - Final
Where to watch Gilas Pilipinas at SEA Games 2023
The host broadcaster in Cambodia is Cambodia Sports Television (CSTV).
The SEA Games in Singapore is available to watch on their dedicated mewatch channels.
In Thailand, SEA Games coverage is via the TV Pool 3HD, 5HD, 7HD, MCOT HD, NBT2HD, GMM25, PPTV HD and T Sports.