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Games Thursday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

3 p.m. – Malaysia vs Myanmar

5 p.m. – Vietnam vs Singapore

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7 p.m. – Philippines vs Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines – Beating Gilas Pilipinas is highly improbable but not impossible.

With that in mind, the Indonesians are eager to come out to give their best shot in a do-or-die game that they feel presents them an opportunity to score an upset.

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“The Philippines has a high reputation in the game of basketball. But we’re playing just a 40-minute game, that could be a game-changer,” said Indon naturalized player Jamarr Johnson on the eve of the gold-medal game between Team Phl and Indonesia in the SEABA Championship at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Thursday night.

Game time is at 7 p.m.

“It’s basketball. We’ll put in our best from the beginning to the end, and see what happens,” said Indon-American Arki Wisnu.

Johnson and Wisnu finally saw action in the tourney yesterday and helped power the Indons to a 123-50 demolition of Myanmar that kept them in contention for the title and the regional slot to the coming Asian World Cup qualifying series.

The Indon naturalized player scored 17 points on 8-of-11 clip and also came up with seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block against two errors in 22 minutes of action. Wisnu contributed seven points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting.

“The Philippines is hard to beat. But we’ll try and not give up,” said Indonesian coach Wahyu Widayat Jati, not ruling out their win especially if they’re able to dish out their best and they catch the Filipinos in their off night.

Jati is thankful Johnson and Wisnu gained their FIBA clearance in time for their game against the home team.

“It’s really good for us. We’re playing with our full strength and I hope they (Johnson and Wisnu) can give us energy,” said Jati.

Johnson said he would play the best he can to help prop up the Indons.

We’re gonna play with our hearts out. We’ll do what we can for us to win. I’ll do whatever it is that I need to do be it rebounding, defending or scoring,” said Johnson.

The Indons kept pace with Gilas through the first six days of competition, rolling past Singapore, 71-50; Malaysia, 63-42; Thailand, 60-59; Vietnam, 95-52; and Myanmar to assure themselves of at least the silver medal.

Indonesia is a one-time SEABA champ in 1996 at home in Surabaya, and has had four runner-up finishes behind the Philippines in 2005, 2009, 2011 and 2013.

The Indons, however, missed a podium finish in the last two editions of this Asian sub-zonal event

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