Title hopes end as Philippines falls to Korea anew in Fiba Asia Cup
Photo from Fiba.com
South Korea remains the bane of the Philippines in continental basketball.
The hot-shooting Koreans broke the Filipinos’ hearts anew with a 118-86 rout in their knockout quarterfinal duel in the 2017 Fiba Asia Cup Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) at Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Beirut, Lebanon.
The loss ended Gilas Pilipinas’ impressive run, where they went undefeated in the group stages despite an undermanned line-up, and relegated the Filipinos to the battle for fifth place.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas, Korea resume bitter basketball rivalry
Not only did the Koreans take the Filipinos out of the running for the title, they also assured them of their worst finish since 2011 when Gilas Pilipinas placed fourth.
Defense was the biggest issue for the Nationals as they allowed the disciplined Korean crew to shoot 73-percent from the field in the first half to grab a 16-point lead, 49-33.
Terrence Romeo waxed hot in the second quarter as he linked up with Jayson Castro to pull Gilas within six, 56-49, but Korea proved it was simply a superior team.
READ: Gilas five needs pluck
The Koreans shot a mercurial 16-of-21 clip from beyond the arc and dished out 34 assists, leading by as high as 34, 112-78, courtesy of a long bomb from Yang Hong Seok with 1:57 to play.
Romeo uncorked all of his 22 points in that blazing second frame, but was held scoreless in the second half by the tenacious Korean defense.
Christian Standhardinger added 17 markers and four boards, Roger Pogoy had 12 points in the Philippines’ late spurt, and Castro William got 11 markers, four assists, and three rebounds as the ghost of the Korea continued to haunt the Filipinos.
READ: Korea spoils Gilas bid
The country’s last win over its fierce rival was back in the 2013 edition of the Asian tilt, where the Jimmy Alapag-led Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the final.
Oh Se Keun topped Korea with 22 points and five rebounds, while Kim Sun Hyung went 9-of-11 from the field to wound up with 21 markers, four assists, and three boards as the Koreans advance to the semifinals.
Kim Jong Kyu also chimed in 15 points, four dimes, and, two rebounds.
The Scores:
KOREA 118 – Oh 22, Kim S H 21, Kim J K 15, Lee S H 14, Lee Ju H 11, Choi 9, Heo 9, Park 9, Yang 5, Jeon 3, Lim 0.
GILAS PILIPINAS 86 – Romeo 22, Standhardinger 17, Pogoy 12, Castro William 11, Aguilar 7, Wright 6, Jalalon 5, Abueva 2, Almazan 2, Fajardo 2, Cruz 0, Norwood 0.
Quarters: 26-18, 57-49, 86-62, 118-86.
