Greg Slaughter (right) and Cliff Hodge of the Philippines try to swat the attempt of Ng Yeo Seng of Malaysia during their game in the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia. The Nationals edged the Malaysians, 103-74. (AFP Photo)

Games Sunday
5 p.m. — Malaysia vs Indonesia (for bronze)
7 p.m. — Philippines vs Thailand (gold)

JAKARTA — The Philippine basketball team goes for the gold medal Sunday when it clashes with powerhouse Thailand in the 26th Southeast Asian Games at the Britama Arena here.

The undefeated Filipino dribblers take on the Thais in the 7 p.m. main game, hoping to repeat their lopsided 103-69 elimination victory at the 5,000-seating capacity stadium located 10 kilometers north of the capital city.

Host Indonesia collides with 1999 champion Malaysia at 5 p.m. in what is expected a nail-biting match for the bronze.

PH team coach Normal Black is not taking any chances against Thailand despite their convincing win in their last meeting, as well as a 103-74 triumph over archrival Malaysia last Friday.

“We have to play with intensity to achieve our ultimate goal. Thailand is all out to beat us and we have to be prepared against them,” said Black, who is also coach of the four-peat champion Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP.

The Nationals hope to duplicate the golden feat of the team coached by Junel Baculi in the 2007 Thailand edition. Basketball was scrapped in the 2009 Laos meet.

“We have to win that gold and preserve our reputation as the best basketball team in the region,” said Black.

The Nationals clobbered their rivals with a 51.25-point average margin to make them as the team to beat in the tournament. Aside from crushing Thailand and Malaysia in the elims, they also hammered down Cambodia, 127-68, and Vietnam, 107-53.

Thailand defeated Indonesia, 65-62, in the other semis pairing Friday to forge the championship match with the Filipinos.

“We’re not taking any team for granted. The goal is to win the gold and we’re going to work on that. We’re going to work hard and toughen up for them,” Black said.