The Philippines has achieved a sublime feat, claiming 149 gold, 118 silver and 120 bronze medals for a grand total of 387 mints in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

A few weeks ago, that standing seemed improbable if not impossible, given all the controversies that surrounded the SEA Games from kikiam breakfast meals to purportedly less-than-stellar transportation and accommodation arrangements.

Now, however, there have been so many golden moments leading up to what will certainly be the gold standard of future Filipino SEA Games contingents.

There’s Agatha Wong’s wushu success, to go with Pauline Lopez in taekwondo, Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, Kim Mangrobang of triathlon and a host of others.

It has been an amazing few weeks of sports achievement and it has given Filipinos everywhere a lot of reason to be proud and to somehow present a bright ending to the calendar year.

For me, not surprisingly, the gold medals in all basketball events have stood out big time.

First was the shocker of a win by our amazing Gilas Women’s 3×3 squad in the gold medal match against Thailand. That was our country’s first gold medal in any women’s basketball event and it opened the floodgates for more triumphs.

Not really surprising was the romp by our Gilas Men’s 3×3 team as well, anchored on the quartet of Mo Tautuaa, Chris Newsome, Jason Perkins and CJ Perez. Their tour de force was peppered with YouTube highlights left and right.

Still, I couldn’t help but keep re-watching the Gilas Women’s 3×3 team’s awesome run. To Afril Bernardino, Jack Animam, Janine Pontejos, and Clare Castro, as well as coach Pat Aquino, kudos. What a job your team did.

And then to follow those up with twin victories in the 5×5 events was also quite thrilling.

It’s almost criminal to say that winning the Gilas Men’s 5×5 basketball tournament was a foregone conclusion, but to be completely honest, given the roster’s depth and coach Tim Cone’s prowess, there was really no doubt who would come out with the gold medals. Everyone else on the men’s side was playing for silver, and we all knew it.

That doesn’t diminish Gilas Men’s feat, though. I mean, Kiefer Ravena claimed his fifth SEA Games gold medal, Vic Manuel and Chris Ross finally debuted for the national team and the routine blowouts served good vibes on a daily basis.

Trumping it all, however, was how our Gilas Women’s squad toppled defending champion Malaysia and perennial tormentors Thailand and Indonesia. Remember that Malaysia swept the field in 2017 en route to the gold even as the Filipinas settled for fourth place behind the Thais and Indonesians.

This time around, behind a prime Bernardino along with so many other ladies who stepped up big time, the Gilas Women’s team had its turn to sweep, winning the country’s first gold medal in the biennial tournament’s history.

Along the way, the Gilas women defeated a Thai team bannered by Women’s National Basketball Association player Tiffany Bias, who plays for the New York Liberty and saw action for the Phoenix Mercury in their 2014 title campaign.

What a golden flurry four our country, yes?

I can only hope this spurs even more heightened awareness of the different sports and disciplines where our country can excel, and in a special way. I hope the Gilas Women’s success will also spark a stronger movement for professional women’s basketball.