Gilas Pilipinas came up with another strong start as they went on to clobber Singapore, 113-66, Saturday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
RR Pogoy’s outside sniping in the first period helped the nationals post their second straight win in the 2017 Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship.
The win allowed them to pull even with Thailand and Indonesia, which also came up with second consecutive triumphs.
As the nationals finished the first 10 minutes with a 22-point advantage, coach Chot Reyes felt he had the luxury to try different combinations from his roster.
It worked, and Gilas eventually limited the Singaporeans to 20 points in the second period.
Pogoy joined hands with Troy Rosario and Andray Blatche for 25 points, and their efforts saw Gilas grabbing a 63-29 halftime spread.
“We are trying different combinations. We tried playing without a point guard. Games like this one allow us that opportunity,” said Reyes.
Calvin Abueva went on to lead Gilas with 16 points and five rebounds, while Blatche and Allein Malicsi provided 14.
Earlier, Thailand coasted to a 76-51 swamping of Vietnam, while Indonesia hardly sweated it out in beating Malaysia, 63-42
The Thais found no need to field star guard Chitchai Ananti, who sat out the game with a leg injury he got following their opening triumph over Malaysia on Friday.
Kannut Samerjai took charge in Ananti’s absence, making 14 points including four triples plus four assists in the 16 minutes he was on the floor.
Teammate Wutipong Dasom added 11 points.
Gilas unravelled an 11-0 rin at the start of the first period.
Pogoy's triples with Terrence Romeo in the last 1:55 widened their advantage to to 18, 25-7.
Blatche’s attacks then saw them moving further ahead, 27-7.
Reyes said they were able to play with different combinations at a high level.
Their game tonight, according to Reyes, will help them against Malaysia at 7 p.m. today.
“Malaysia is a tough defensive team. They are young, long and athletic. I like the fight of their squad,” said Reyes.