Smart Gilas Pilipinas loses to South Korea (Asian Games 2010 - Men's Basketball)

South Korea beats Philippines for semis berth

GUANGZHOU, China – South Korea ended the Philippine-Smart Gilas’ hope of winning a medal in the 16th Asian Games. This after the Koreans dealt the Filipinos a crushing 74-66 beating in their knockout quarterfinal match of the men’s basketball competition on Wednesday at the Huangpu Gymnasium.


The Filipino dribblers failed to get their outside game going as the Koreans did an outstanding job of defending the perimeter to foil the PHL 5’s bid of earning a semifinals berth.

Asi Taulava, the 37-year-old center of the Philippine quintet, led the team with 23 points on a 10-of-14 field goal shooting, but failed to get the needed support from the already depleted roster of coach Rajko Toroman.

“Korea just took away our shooting in the game," said PHL 5 skipper Chris Tiu, who was held to just five points after averaging 11 per game prior to the quarterfinal match.

Tiu was 0-of-4 from the three-point zone where the Filipinos shot 4-of-18 overall. Marnel Baracael was also 0-of-4 in that area.

“Two things decided this match. First, Korea outrebounded us and second, we could not hit our outside shots," said Toroman. “The players were very disappointed with this loss."

The Philippines is now relegated in the consolation round.

Center Oh Sekeun led South Korea with 19 points while Kim Sung Chui added 13. Forward Lee Seung Jun chipped in 12 while Kim Joo Sung had 10 in a display of balanced offense.

JV Casio was the only other Philippine player to score in double figures with 12, but was limited to only three points in the second half.

Casio’s rare four-point play off Donggeun Yang gave the PHL 5 its last taste of the lead, 19-15, late in the first period.

But the Koreans answered with a 15-2 run for a 30-21 lead with 7:27 left in the second quarter and seize control of the game.

Taulava and Sol Mercado, who returned after sitting out the team's last two games because of an injured foot, conspired in a 13-5 attack to put the Philippines within striking distance, 34-35.

But the Koreans ended the half with a 9-2 spurt for a 44-36 lead at the turn.

The Philippines never had a serious run since then to bomb out of the Final Four of the Asiad for the first time since 1978. – RCJ, JVP, GMANews.TV

Scores:

South Korea 74 – Oh 19, Kim 13, Lee S. 12, Kim 10, Yang 9, Yang 8, Park 3, Ham 0, Lee J. 0, Cho 0.

Philippines 66 – Taulava 23, Casio 12, Williams 8, Lassiter 8, Mercado 6, Tiu 5, Baracael 4, Lutz 0.

Quarter scores: 21-19, 44-36, 61-51, 74-66.

(November 25 - Thursday
2:30pm Philippines vs. North Korea (5th-8th placing)

gmanews.tv