Gilas Men 3×3 stay perfect after beating Vietnam and Malaysia, cruises past Laos to seal SEA Games semis spot

What began as a tense survival test against Malaysia turned into a full display of dominance a day later, as Gilas Pilipinas Men 3×3 closed the group stage of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games with the swagger of a team rediscovering its championship identity.

The defining moment of their Bangkok campaign came Wednesday night at Nimibutr Stadium, when Malaysia wiped out a late Philippine cushion and threatened to hand Gilas their first stumble of the tournament. The Filipinos — usually steady closers — suddenly faced a 19-all deadlock with the momentum leaning heavily toward their opponents.

But in the clearest sign yet that this squad is built for tight finishes, Joseph Sedurifa stepped into the biggest shot of their SEA Games run — a cold-blooded two-pointer that sealed a 21–19 escape and preserved the Philippines’ unbeaten slate in Group B.

The walk-off capped a roller-coaster matchup that swung between control and chaos. Gilas had earlier leaned on Ange Kouame’s interior dominance to build a 16–12 lead, only to watch Malaysia fire off a blistering five-point counter that momentarily flipped the script. 

Kouame later steadied the Filipinos with a layup for a 19–17 lead before Malaysia tied the game through two pressure-packed free throws off a Janrey Pasaol foul.

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WATCH: Gilas Pilipinas gets mobbed by Filipino fans after defeating Malaysia, 21-19, in yesterday’s men’s 3×3 at the Southeast Asian Games here in Bangkok. The win put Gilas in the semis which takes place later today at Nimibutr Stadium. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/hEU8DDquc7

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What happened next defined the evening: Pasaol forced a turnover, and Sedurifa turned that opportunity into the shot that kept the Philippines on course for the semifinals.

The victory came hours after Gilas opened their SEA Games journey with a composed 21–15 win over Vietnam — a performance that previewed the balanced attack of Sedurifa, Kouame, Pasaol, and Joseph Eriobu.

But if the Malaysia escape exposed their vulnerabilities, Thursday’s group finale showed exactly how quickly they can shift gears.

A day after the scare, Gilas returned to Nimibutr Stadium with an entirely different disposition. With a semifinals ticket already secured, the Nationals stormed past Laos with a clinical 21–10 dismantling, showcasing the fluidity and physicality that had been missing during the tense moments of the previous match.

The statement win reinforced the team’s quest for redemption after missing the top of the podium in recent editions — and signaled that the Philippines may have only just begun to tap into its full potential.

Already assured of a semifinal spot, the Gilas Men pressed on in their group finale, keeping their sights set on a redemption run.

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