Energen-PH bows to Korea, misses trip to world U18 tilt

THE PHILIPPINES’ history of heartbreaks against South Korea continued in the 22nd Fiba Asia Under-18 Championship last night in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Despite staying within striking distance early, the Energen Pilipinas U18 team just couldn’t hold off the Korean juggernaut in the second half for a 90-77 loss in the quarterfinals that ended the Filipinos’ bid for a Fiba Worlds slot.

Six-foot-nine center Lee Jong-hyun powered the Koreans with 26 points and 18 rebounds while Choi Jun-yong added 17.

The young Filipinos tied the game at 37, before the Koreans closed out the second quarter with a 10-4 spurt to take a 47-41 halftime advantage.

After the break, the Koreans sustained the surge to pull away for good, 80-64.

Jerie Pingoy led the Filipinos with 19 points, while Rey Nambatac shot 12.

Only the top three finishers in the tournament will represent Asia in the Fiba U19 World Championship set in the Czech Republic next year.

With the loss, the Philippines will try to match its fifth-place finish in the tournament’s last edition in 2010 in Yemen.

The Koreans had dealt the Filipinos a series of painful losses, including one in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Asian Games and in the bronze-medal match of the 2011 Fiba Asia Men’s Championship.

Joining Korea in the semifinals were defending champion China, which blasted Saudi Arabia, 76-33, and Japan, which survived favored Chinese Taipei, 68-67, at Buyant-Ukhaa Arena.
Iran and Lebanon were still disputing the last semifinal slot. Jasmine W. Payo

The scores:
KOREA 90—Lee 26, J. Choi 17, Heo 15, Kang 10, Seo. Choi 9, Cheon 7, Seu. Choi 4, Park 2.
PHILIPPINES 77—Pingoy 19, Nambatac 12, Alejandro 11, Cani 8, Olayon 8, Suarez 7, Lao 4, Javelosa 4, Porter 2, Rivero 2, Babilonia 0.
Quarters: 22-19, 47-42, 69-55, 90-77