Gilas Pilipinas’ Dwight Ramos (left) and Mike Nieto (right) with players of the Korean national team after the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers. MIKE NIET PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — No South Korea slander will be tolerated as far as Gilas Pilipinas’ Mike Nieto is concerned.
Nieto reminded Filipinos to be humble in victory after Gilas’ 82-77 win over its rival South Korea on Sunday in the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga.
“Thanks for your support mga kababayan! But please no below the belt remarks to Korea! We respect Them! Specially BTS! Army tayo!” tweeted Nieto, who also gave a shoutout to the South Korean boy band.
In a show of sportsmanship, Nieto and teammate Dwight Ramos also posed for a picture with their South Korean counterparts after the game.
❤️❤️💜💜💜 pic.twitter.com/oKHaxNlxqY
— Michael Nieto (@bigmikenieto) June 20, 2021
The Philippines swept the qualifiers with a 6-0 record which included a pair of stunning victories over South Korea.
Gilas beat South Korea, 81-78, on a buzzer-beating triple in the first meeting. It was the Philippines’ first win over South Korea since the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship.