The last time the Philippines battled Myanmar, it was a 107-point victory for the former.
Of those 12 players that played for the Philippines, only one remained. Yet in their rematch in the SEA Games on Tuesday, nothing has changed as the nationals pulled off yet another dominant win.
The Philippines sizzled right from the get-go and sustained that fiery start until the final buzzer to crush Myanmar, 129-34, and record its second straight win in the Men’s Basketball Tournament of the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Much like its 107-point victory over a novice Myanmar squad three months ago, the Philippines hardly broke a sweat in taking another win, easing to a quick 15-0 lead in the first four minutes and extending to a massive 97 points late in the game to get the job done.
SEA Games first-timer Kobe Paras had a breakout game, putting on a dunk show on the way to an all-around output of 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, seven steals, and four blocks off the bench to lead the Philippines.
Raymar Jose also contributed big as he finished with a game-high 22 points, while Troy Rosario, Mike Tolomia, Carl Bryan Cruz, Christian Standhardinger, and Kevin Ferrer all cracked the double-digit mark.
It was a full-packed performance for the Philippines throughout, obliterating an inexperienced Myanmar squad in almost all the facets of the game to put an astounding follow up to its thrilling 81-72 win over Thailand two nights ago.
As soon as the game started, the Filipinos were already on target, hitting 72 percent of their shots from the field and 24 of their 31 free throw attempts, which they used to pull away so quickly.
The 17th SEA Games title-seeking Philippines allowed Myanmar to just a single field goal in the entire second half, a Sai Phyo Kaw’s triple in the 8:49 mark, as it went on the break with a 60-10 lead.
If there were silver-linings for Myanmar in this game, then they were the 18-point output it scored in the final period and the department where it edged the Philippines – the 3-point land. Myanmar drilled four triples throughout the match to Philippines’ three.
Earlier, the country’s women’s team crushed Myanmar, 123-33, to get back on winning track.
The Score:
PHILIPPINES 129 – Jose 22, Paras 20, Rosario 14, Tolomia 13, Cruz 12, Standhardinger 12, Ferrer 11, Pessumal 9, Parks 7, Vosotros 5, Ravena 4.
MYANMAR 34 – Kyaw 12, Zaya 8, Wai 4, Aung 2, Aye 2, Han 2, Oo 2, Zin 2, Ja 0, Min 0, Phyo 0.
Quarterscores: 31-7, 60-10, 98-16, 129-34.