Gilas Pilipinas will chase spots in the gold-medal matches of both men’s and women’s basketball on Thursday, December 18, at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok. The semifinal games will be played at Nimibutr Stadium as the national teams look to move one step closer to the top of the podium.

The men’s squad is scheduled to play its semifinal at 2 p.m. local time, or 3 p.m. in Manila, with its opponent to be determined between Indonesia and Vietnam. The two teams were still battling in the quarterfinals as of press time, with the winner advancing to face Gilas.

Despite remaining unbeaten, Gilas coach Norman Black stressed the need for improvement as the tournament progresses. He acknowledged the challenges faced by a hastily assembled roster that has had limited time to prepare.

Slow starts remain concern

Gilas has relied on strong second-half surges to secure victories over Malaysia and Vietnam earlier in the tournament. In both games, the Filipinos overcame sluggish first halves before pulling away behind timely perimeter shooting and defensive stops.

Robert Bolick, Ray Parks Jr., Matthew Wright, and Poy Erram all played key roles during decisive stretches, providing scoring and energy on both ends. Bolick admitted the team is still adjusting after minimal practice time and no tune-up games.

Bolick said the team’s mindset has been to trust whoever gets hot, emphasizing collective effort over individual roles. He added that despite the challenges, the players are committed to giving their best for the country.

Gilas Women face tough test

On the women’s side, Gilas already knows its semifinal opponent after Indonesia dominated Singapore in the quarterfinals. The two teams will meet at 11:30 a.m. local time, or 12:30 p.m. in Manila.

Coach Patrick Aquino expects a difficult contest against the defending champions, citing Indonesia’s experience and exposure in higher-level international competitions. The Indonesians defeated Gilas in the gold-medal game during the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games.

Gilas Women received a boost with the arrival of Karl Ann Pingol and Angel Surada from National University following the UAAP Season 88 finals. Their addition strengthens a lineup led by Kacey Dela Rosa, who starred in earlier wins alongside SEA Games rookies Sophia Dignadice and Sarah Heyn, as well as veterans Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos.