SINGAPORE, June 15 (Reuters) - The Philippines continued their near monopoly on regional men's basketball but not before they were given a huge scare by a plucky Indonesia side in an enthralling Southeast Asian Games gold medal game on Monday.
Forward Mark Rey Belo led the way with 22 points as the Gilas Pilipinas eked out a 72-64 victory at a packed OCBC Arena, delighting a predominantly Filipino crowd, who were able to celebrate a 17th victory in 18 SEA Games basketball tournaments.
"What a great group of guys they are," Florida-born coach Tab Baldwin told reporters.