Indonesia ends Philippines’ 31-year reign as king of SEAG basketball

Indonesia pulled off a monumental upset by dethroning the Philippines in Men’s 5×5 basketball at the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Indonesians leaned on naturalized player Marques Bolden along with locals Derrick Michael Xzavierro and Damar Abraham Gratiwa to repulse the Filipinos, 85-81, in the gold-medal match, Sunday before a stunned crowd at the Thanh Tri Gymnasium.

The 24-year old Bolden, who took over the spot of former PBA import Lester Prosper, led the charge for the first-time SEAG basketball champs with 18 points including a crucial putback with just 40 ticks left on the game clock which gave the Indonesians a 5-point advantage, 81-76. The former Duke Blue Devil also collected 10 rebounds.

Grahita added 17 markers while Xzavierro, who is part of the NBA Global Academy, chipped in 14.

The loss ended the Philippine’s 31-year reign and 13-staight gold-medal finishes in the biennial regional meet.

The last time the Filipinos failed to clinch the title was in 1989 when an all-amateur squad coached by Derrick Pumaren settled for runner-up behind host Malaysia.

Matthew Wright paced the Gilas Men’s team with 23 points to go with 4 boards and 4 assists. June Mar Fajardo contributed 20 points while Thirdy Ravena and Troy Rosario chipped in 17 and 12 markers, respectively. Kiefer Ravena was the only other Filipino who scored as the Japan B.League veteran finished with 9.

Mo Tuatuaa, RR Pogoy and Kib Montalbo were part of the 8-man rotation but all three were held scoreless.

The scores:

Indonesia 85 — Bolden 18, Grahita 17, Derrick 14, Jawato 11, Agassi 11, Prastawa 8, Kokodiputra 5, Saputera 1, Vincent 0, Wisnu 0.

Philippines 81 — Wright 23, Fajardo 20, Ravena T. 17, Rosario 12, Ravena K. 9, Tautuaa 0, Pogoy 0, Montalbo 0.

Qiuarterscores: 18-14, 36-32, 63-60, 85-81.