THE SINAG Pilipinas team took their sweet time but eventually found their rhythm in time to fend off Singapore, 88-75, in their opening game of the 27th Southeast Asian Games yesterday at Zayar Thiri Indoor Stadium in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
Mac Belo fueled the Philippines’ fightback in the second half as he scored 11 of his 16 points during that stretch to help the Filipinos pull away after Singapore forged a 33-all tie at halftime. The Cotabato City-native also had 10 rebounds.
Naturalized center Marcus Douthit had a double-double of 14 points and 10 boards, while University of Santo Tomas wingman Kevin Ferrer chipped in 14 points for the Sinag, which will face Cambodia next.
The win did not come on a silver platter for the Nationals, who actually trailed, 8-18, late in the first canto before finally getting their game going in the third period, where Douthit, Ferrer, Bobby Ray Parks and Kiefer Ravena connived with one another to give them a 64-58 lead going to the final stanza.
BOX SCORES:
Philippines (88) – Belo 16, Douthit 14, Ferrer 14, Parks 10, Ravena 9, Ganuelas 9, Sumang 8, Lanete 6, J. Pascual 2, Cruz 0, R. Pascual 0.
Singapore (75) – W. Wong 23, H. Ng 11, W. Low 9, Q. Wu 9, W. Oh 7, S. Lim 7, H. Liew 5, K. Goh 4, C. Tan 0, W. Hong 0.
Quarterscores: 13-20; 33-33; 64-58; 88-75. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio