Team Philippines opens their campaign on a winning note in men’s basketball at the 13th ASEAN Schools Games held in University of Da Nang, Vietnam after beating Thailand, 78-62.

Mark Airick Esperanza and John Earl Medina led the team with 19 and 13 points, respectively.

The game went on a roller coaster ride with six lead changes at the first half, allowing the Thais to build their largest lead at five in the beginning period but the Philippines managed to end the half with a lead, 44-38. 

“I told them (during halftime) to play them with respect. From there on, dumepensa na sila, they are challenging the shots, they are diving for loose balls,” said Head Coach Michael August Fermin.

The squad then fired a 13-0 start in the third quarter after imposing stunning full court press to let the Thais throw the ball several times and capitalize in transition, putting in 17 total fastbreak points.

The multi-sport event will formally commence tomorrow at 8PM, Manila Time, which will be competed in by 1,300 athletes among 10 Southeast Asian countries which will also play athletics, swimming, badminton, pencak silat, and vovinam.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann will arrive on the eve of the grand opening ceremony on June 1. 

###