BANGKOK, Thailand — Gilas Pilipinas tightened its defensive screws in the crucial stretch to eke out a thrilling 73-70 victory over Thailand in the gold-medal match of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games women’s basketball event at the Nimibutr Stadium here.

Needing one big stop to finally put away the hosts, the Filipina dribblers forced Kanokwan Prajuapsook to miss a well-challenged three-point attempt at the buzzer to complete their redemption campaign and claim the SEA Games crown that they lost in the previous edition in Cambodia two years ago.

In a sea of 3,249 people that included Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Ricky Vargas, and executive director Erika Dy, veteran skipper Afril Bernardino turned in a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Philippines while Kacey Dela Rosa ably backed her up with 17 points and 16 boards.

Sophia Dignadice also had 10 points and two assists as the Gilas women made a successful return to the Promise Land of Southeast Asian basketball.

“I can’t say anything about the girls. I’m so proud of them. They gave their all. I also like to thank Thailand also for playing a good game today. It’s been a hard battle going for the gold,” said Gilas Women coach Patrick Aquino, who secured his third SEA Games gold medal after winning in Manila in 2019 and Hanoi in 2021.

“Hopefully, we’ll get more gold medals for the country.”

“This victory is sweeter because we’re not in the country. The girls really worked hard for this. It was a tough game. We were just lucky.”

Gilas women held a 50-43 lead at the half that they stretched to as much as 55-43 midway through the third but the Thais whittled it to 58-65 heading into the final stanza.

Boosted by its boisterous supporters, the host used a 7-0 run to cut a 72-63 Gilas women advantage to just 72-70. A Chuck Cabinbin free throw made it a 73-70 count in the last 16.9 seconds before the Philippines turned the ball over on a shot clock violation that gave the Thais a lifeline.

But it wasn’t meant to be for Thailand which got 17 points and six rebounds from Supavadee Kunchuan’s and a combined 31 from Rattiyakorn Udomsuk and Prajuapsook.