The Cambodian men's basketball team has won a gold medal in the SEA Games 2023 after defeating the Philippines 20-15 in the men's 3x3 basketball.

At the Elephant Hall in Morodok Techo National Stadium on Sunday, the Cambodian men's basketball team scored the host country another gold after defeating the Philippines 20-15 in men's 3x3 basketball category.

They advanced to the final round after triumphing over Thailand 21-18, Singapore 20-13, and Vietnam 21-19.

Brandon Peterson, a basketball player representing Cambodia, said he is on the Cambodian team to compete for gold. He said he is in good shape, so it was not difficult for him. He added that he will play wisely and win for Cambodia.

dynamic_detail_1

“I mean, Singapore, they were playing smart, so they scored. They made a lot of slips on screens and some smart IQ basketball plays,” he told Kiripost after beating Singapore. “They scored a few points, but thankfully we were able to win the game.”

Moreover, he expects to win the next tournament.

Cambodian basketball team during match on May 6, 2023 against Singapore. Kiripost/Meas Molika

“Every game we expect to win,” he said. “So that's why I'm sitting here watching Malaysia and Thailand to see how Malaysia plays and see what we can do in the next game.”

Darren Dorsey, 35, a basketball player representing Cambodia, said he has been in Cambodia practicing and acclimatizing to the weather. In addition, he adores the nation and aspires to earn a medal for Cambodia.

dynamic_detail_2

"The next game is going to be another tough game, so we're going to try to get some rest and then hopefully we can win again," he said. "Our goal is to win a medal, so hopefully we can do it."

He added that he also won thanks to having a great team.

"We have a great team," he said. "Well, I'd say we have a great team because we're not selfish and we all get along."

The competition has attracted fans from across ASEAN as they pledge their support to their sporting idols and especially their country.

Chan Pisey, 23 a fan of Cambodia’s basketball players, told Kiripost on Saturday that she and her friends came to watch the basketball matches at 7am. After the Cambodian male basketball team won over Singapore, 21-13, it is impressive that Cambodia was able to obtain more points in the last minute of the competition.

“I feel amazed that they are playing by heart, and while they are playing it is calm without messing up. They know how to cheer up their team well,” she mentioned.

She said she loved the match between Cambodia and Thailand the most since Cambodian male basketball players obtained the maximum score at the last minute.

“The most exciting game for me is when Cambodia plays Thailand. To tell you the truth, it is so amazing. At the end of the game, he gained another score making it 22, and, boom. Because the game is 3x3 [basketball] with 22 scores already, boom. And he gained an additional three points at the end. I loved this match the most because he played it beautifully,” she added.

She told Kiripost ahead of the semi-finals on Saturday that she had high expectations that the Cambodian male basketball team would win.

mao.sreypich@kiripost.com