Gilas Men sweep preliminary round to gain 3×3 semis berth
Published on May 6, 2023

It was a dominant showing for Gilas Pilipinas Men as they booked a semifinals seat in the 3×3 competition of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, sweeping the group stage on Saturday in Cambodia. 

The national team composed of Almond Vosotros, Joseph Eriobu, Lervin Flores, and Joseph Sedurifa trampled Laos, 21-5, in their first match then followed it up with a 21-13 victory over Vietnam. 

They ended the day with a 21-11 win over Indonesia to earn a trip to the next phase of the tournament. 

Lervin Flores grabbed the spotlight by scoring nine points in the crucial win, including the game-winning basket with roughly three minutes left in the contest. Almond Vosotros, who provided key baskets in their game against Vietnam, finished with five points. 

Gilas finished Group A with a perfect 3-0 record. 

The Philippines will take on reigning champion Thailand tomorrow for a chance to enter the finals. The Thai team is composed of the same four-man crew which won the competition last year in Hanoi.