Gilas, Malaysia and Singapore qualify for 2015 FIBA Asia Championship

SINGAPORE (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - The Philippines completed an unbeaten run at the SEABA Championship on Friday to lift the title and march into the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

Tab Baldwin's team, the pre-tournament favorites despite being a very young side, swept all before them to finish with five wins and no defeats.

Following them into the FIBA Asia Championship as the second- and third-placed teams were Malaysia and SEABA hosts Singapore, who ended up 4-1 and 3-2, respectively.

The Philippines (Gilas Cadets), as most expected would be the case, were big winners in all of their games.

Even so, there was a buzz in the gym on the final day before their last game against the hosts, upset-minded Singapore.

In the first quarter, the home fans had a lot to cheer about as Singapore almost matched the visitors blow for blow.

In the end, however, the Filipinos were too strong and clinched an 82-56 victory.

Singapore hurt their own cause by turning the ball over 21 teams.

Marcus Douthit, the veteran in the Gilas side, had 16 points, seven rebounds and a couple of blocks.

Malaysia, who won their game against Singapore earlier in the tournament, 58-49, to take in the inside track to second place, capped off their tournament with an 85-53 triumph over Laos.

Indonesia beat both Laos and Brunei in the SEABA and finished in fourth place with a 2-3 record, while Laos won their game against Brunei to condemn the latter to last place.

The FIBA Asia Championship is to be staged in Changsha-Hunan, China, 23 September to 3 October.

Kazakhstan, who won the CABA title earlier this week, along with Iran, Qatar, Kuwait and hosts China also have places in the 16-team event.

FIBA