Gilas Pilipinas whips Vietnam, 110-69, to enter SEA Games semis

June Mar Fajardo was the main man anew for Gilas Pilipinas. Zeke Alonzo

Gilas Pilipinas showed their might anew in Southeast Asian Games basketball as it demolished Vietnam, 110-69, to book a slot in the semifinals of the tournament on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

June Mar Fajardo topped Gilas with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while LA Tenorio and Vic Manuel chipped in 14 each.

FULL COVERAGE: 30th Southeast Asian Games on GMA News Online

The final score, however, did not reflect the struggles of the home team, which trailed 11-7 to start the game.

Coach Tim Cone was not happy with the slow start for Gilas Pilipinas. Zeke Alonzo

Gilas recovered and grabbed the lead, 15-12, thanks to a Stanley Pringle three-pointer with 4:24 left in the first quarter. The Philippines never looked back and led by as much as 44 points after a Marcio Lassiter jumper at the 1:47 mark of the final period.

ASEAN Basketball League veteran Chris Dierker led Vietnam with 28 points.

With the win, the road to another gold is within reach for the Philippines.

Gilas will face Myanmar on Saturday to close its preliminary round slate. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/JST, GMA News