Basketball at the 1981 SEA Games

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.

The hosts were able to regain the men's championship title by blasting the defending champions  in the Gold Medal Match, 91–74, to avenge their preliminary loss to the same team. Meanwhile, edged out  in the third place battle, 99–90, to take home the Bronze Medal.

In the women's division, asserted their supremacy by defeating the hosts the  in the Gold Medal Match, 52–42, to annex their third straight championship. knocked off in the third place battle, 59–46, to win the Bronze Medal.

Tournament format
The 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.