The basketball tournament at the 1981 SEA Games took place from 7 to 13 December 1981. This edition of the tournament featured both men's and women's tournament. All matches took place at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
| 3rd SEA Games Basketball Tournament | |||||||||
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| Manila 1981 | |||||||||
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| Tournament details | |||||||||
| SEA Games | 1981 SEA Games | ||||||||
| Host nation | Philippines | ||||||||
| City | Manila | ||||||||
| Venue | Rizal Memorial Coliseum | ||||||||
| Duration | 7–13 December | ||||||||
| Men's tournament | |||||||||
| Teams | 4 | ||||||||
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| Women's tournament | |||||||||
| Teams | 5 | ||||||||
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| Tournaments | |||||||||
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The hosts Philippines were able to regain the men's championship title by blasting the defending champions Malaysia in the Gold Medal Match, 91–74, to avenge their preliminary loss to the same team. Meanwhile, Thailand edged out Singapore in the third place battle, 99–90, to take home the Bronze Medal.
In the women's division, Malaysia asserted their supremacy by defeating the hosts the Philippines in the Gold Medal Match, 52–42, to annex their third straight championship. Thailand knocked off Singapore in the third place battle, 59–46, to win the Bronze Medal.
Tournament format
editThe competition format for both men's and women's event calls for the top two teams after the single round robin to face in the championship match. The third and fourth-placed teams, on the other hand, will battle for the Bronze Medal.
Men's tournament
editParticipating nations
editResults
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Philippines (H)
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 242 | 211 | +31 | 5[a] | Qualified to the Gold Medal Match |
| 2 |  Malaysia
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 244 | 228 | +16 | 5[b] | |
| 3 |  Thailand
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3 | 2 | 1 | 237 | 234 | +3 | 5[c] | Qualified to the Bronze Medal Match |
| 4 |  Singapore
|
3 | 0 | 3 | 195 | 245 | −50 | 3 |
Rules for classification: (1) Tournament points, (2) Head-to-head tournament points, (3) Head-to-head goal average, (4) Overall goal average, (5) Drawing of lots
(H) Hosts
Notes:
Bronze medal match
editGold medal match
editFinal standings
edit| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
|
Philippines
|
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Malaysia
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Thailand
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| 4 | Singapore
|
Women's tournament
editParticipating nations
editResults
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malaysia
|
4 | 4 | 0 | 208 | 159 | +49 | 8 | Qualified to the Gold Medal Match |
| 2 | Philippines (H)
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 265 | 219 | +46 | 7 | |
| 3 | Thailand
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4 | 2 | 2 | 225 | 237 | −12 | 6 | Qualified to the Bronze Medal Match |
| 4 | Singapore
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4 | 1 | 3 | 159 | 179 | −20 | 5 | |
| 5 |  Indonesia
|
4 | 0 | 4 | 206 | 269 | −63 | 4 |
Rules for classification: (1) Tournament points, (2) Head-to-head tournament points, (3) Head-to-head goal average, (4) Overall goal average, (5) Drawing of lots
(H) Hosts
Bronze medal match
editGold medal match
editFinal standings
edit| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
|
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Malaysia
|
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 Philippines
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Thailand
|
| 4 | Singapore
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| 5 | Indonesia
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