The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) paid tribute to the heroes of the hardwood, formally recognizing the members of Gilas Pilipinas who delivered a gold medal in men's basketball at the recent 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
A Halftime Tribute for Champions
The special recognition ceremony was held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, during the halftime break of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarter-finals match between the TNT Tropang 5G and the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots. The event took place at the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum, where the league honored the national team's triumphant campaign.
Led by head coach Norman Black, several members of the gold-medal squad were present to receive the accolades. The players who attended the ceremony included Robert Bolick, Thirdy Ravena, Von Pessumal, Jamie Malonzo, Abu Tratter, Veejay Pre, Justin Chua, and Poy Erram.
Some members of the Gilas roster were unable to attend the event. The absent players were noted as Dalph Panopio, Matthew Wright, Ray Parks, Cedric Manzano, and Allen Liwag.
League Officials Join the Celebration
The presentation was a united front by the PBA leadership. PBA Board chairman Ricky Vargas was joined by Commissioner Willie Marcial and Magnolia team governor Jason Webb in bestowing the recognition upon the national team. Members of the Gilas coaching staff were also part of the festivities, with Sandy Arespacochaga, Bacon Austria, and Andre Santos stepping onto the court for the honor.
A Flawless Run to a Historic Gold
The recognition celebrated a dominant performance by Gilas Pilipinas in Thailand. The team completed its SEA Games campaign with a perfect, undefeated record across four games. Their journey culminated in a hard-fought 70-64 victory over host nation Thailand in the gold medal game.
This latest triumph is monumental in Philippine basketball history. The gold medal secured in Thailand marks the 20th SEA Games gold medal for the Philippine national basketball team since it first joined the regional competition back in 1977.
Overall, the Philippines finished the 33rd SEA Games in sixth place in the medal tally. The country's athletes brought home a total of 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals.
