The Philippines have been a dominant force in basketball in the ASEAN region for as long as we can remember. However, in this year’s SEA Games, this may not be the case.
Gilas Pilipinas fans are shocked after learning that the 3×3 team finished outside of the podium for the first time. On the other hand, there’s still hope in 5×5 basketball, as the national team recently clinched its spot in the semi-finals. According to the SBOTOP SEA Games 2025 odds, the Philippines will likely advance to the finals for the 23rd time.
Despite coming off a busy 2025 campaign, Alex Eala is also doing her best to lead the Philippines to glory, as the WTA No. 53 is vying for medals in both the women’s singles and mixed doubles.
As of this writing, Thailand, which entered the biennial meet with lofty expectations, are at the top of the medal table with 292: 145 golds, 87 silvers, and 60 bronzes.
Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 team misses out on podium finish
The Philippines won the inaugural edition of the SEA Games 3×3 tournament in 2019, defeating Indonesia in the final. Since then, they finished third in 2021 and second in 2023. However, this year, they finished outside of the podium for the first time.
The Philippines’ 3×3 team started their campaign well, winning three consecutive games against Vietnam (21-15), Malaysia (21-19), and Laos (21-10) to clinch the top spot in Group B. Malaysia were the second seed behind them. Thailand and Singapore took the Top 2 spots in Group A in the preliminary round.
Disaster struck the Philippines last Friday, as they lost to Singapore, not known for their basketball prowess, with a score of 21-20. Gilas Pilipinas lost the lead as Singapore fought back, and the Nationals missed several critical layups late in the match.
Gilas Pilipinas’ last chance for a podium finish was dashed by a 21-19 loss against Malaysia in the bronze medal game. The Philippines mounted a late rally when they trailed by three points, as Ange Kouame and Joseph Sedurifa made it 19-20 with less than 1:30 left. However, Chun Hong Ting converted the game-winning layup for Malaysia, delivering the final blow to the Philippines’ medal hopes.
Gilas Pilipinas 5×5 team gunning for another medal finish
The Philippines’ 5×5 team can avenge its 3×3 counterparts’ failure because it secured its spot in the semi-finals after going undefeated in Group A. Gilas Pilipinas walloped Malaysia (83-58) in the opening game, and they won 78-67 against Vietnam last night. Malaysia and Vietnam will have to go through the quarter-finals after finishing below the Philippines.
The Norman Black-coached squad was off to a slow start against the Malays, trailing 22-16 after the opening period. However, Ray Parks sparked a 20-0 run to end the first half, 42-26. The Osaka Evessa swingman finished the game with a team-high 18 points.
The Philippines also overcame a flat start against Vietnam and turned the game around in the second quarter, though Vietnam mounted a third-period surge to keep the game close. Robert Bolick fueled a 9-0 run with consecutive threes to give Gilas the lead for good in the final frame. Poy Erram and Matthew Wright led the Nationals in scoring with 15 and 14 points, while Bolick had 13.
On the other hand, Thailand took the top spot in Group B with a 3-0 record. Indonesia and Singapore join Malaysia and Vietnam in the quarter-finals gauntlet, and Myanmar are eliminated after going winless. Gilas Pilipinas will await the winner of the Indonesia-Vietnam quarter-finals clash.
Eala doing double duty for PH tennis
In other SEA Games 2025 news, Alex Eala is carrying the banner of Philippine tennis, competing in women’s singles and mixed doubles.
Eala is one step closer to winning a medal for the Philippines, as she and Francis Casey Alcantara are off to a positive start. During the quarter-finals on Monday, the Filipino pair swept Singapore’s Daniel Abadia and Wei Choo, 6-4, 6-3 to assure themselves of at least a bronze.
In women’s singles, Eala is through to the semi-finals after beating Malaysia’s Shihomi Leong, 6-3, 6-1 in the previous round on Monday afternoon at the Tennis Development Center in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The win assured her of at least another bronze.
The 20-year-old star trailed 1-3 in the opening set before asserting herself and winning five consecutive games to seize control of the match. She is currently playing against home bet Thasaporn Naklo in the semi-finals, where she hopes to improve her bronze medal finish from her previous SEA Games campaign.
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