Gilas Controversy: Coach Chot Reyes saved his job with the SEA Games gold?

In a powerful display of basketball prowess, Gilas Pilipinas reclaimed the men's basketball gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games. They avenged their previous loss to Cambodia and secured an impressive 80-69 victory against a team predominantly composed of naturalized players. This victory restored pride in Philippine basketball and showcased the team's resilience and depth.

Contributing significantly to the win, Justin Brownlee led the charge with 23 points, supported by Marcio Lassiter, Christian Standhardinger, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, CJ Perez, and Chris Newsome, who all scored at least nine points each. Gilas capitalized on their experience and depth, dominating their opponents in front of a spirited home crowd that included Prime Minister Hun Sen.

This triumph was particularly satisfying after the team faced criticism for their earlier 79-68 loss to Cambodia in the group stage. However, Gilas swiftly redeemed themselves, defeating Indonesia 84-76 in the semifinals before securing the gold medal against Cambodia.

From the start, the Filipinos established commanding leads, never allowing the hosts to come close enough to pose a serious threat. Brownlee played a pivotal role, endearing himself to Filipino fans with his exceptional performance, including seven rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block.

The supporting cast also made significant contributions to the victory. Newsome showcased his skills with 16 points and four assists, while Lassiter displayed his sharpshooting abilities with two three-pointers. Standhardinger, Perez, and Rosser all made crucial plays, providing valuable points and rebounds.

Despite Cambodia's efforts, with Peterson Jerome leading their team with 18 points and 14 boards, and Darrin Dorsey contributing 17 points, their shooting consistency faltered compared to their previous encounter. They struggled from beyond the arc, making only 4 of 19 attempts.

Although Cambodia staged a late comeback, reducing the deficit to 59-64 in the final quarter with a quick eight-point run, Gilas Pilipinas remained composed and secured their victory, firmly reclaiming the gold medal in the SEA Games men's basketball competition.

So, coach Chot should stay now until the 2023 FIBA World Cup, right?

My answer is pretty obvious that I will not even write it out anymore. At the end of the day, the results are already on the table. At the end of the day, I will still support the national team that will represent the country in the FIBA World Cup!