The Korean curse continues to penetrate as Gilas Pilipinas failed to sit at the semifinals throne and suffered from a 32 deficit in the knockout game, 118-86, in 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Beirut, Lebanon, August 17 (Manila time.)
The top-notch Gilas squad who marked a clean 3-0 streak was sidelined by Korea’s superb 76.19 percent shooting behind the arc and 62.2 percent two-point landings, only missing seven out of 21 three-point attempts.
Unfortunately, Gilas only made 46 percent in the two-point distance and 44 percent shooting from the rainbow territory.
Terrence Romeo’s huge 22 points totality in the second quarter trimmed the gap by eight, 49-57. However, the blue jerseys kindled and stopped the Gilas’s steam.
The heartache was the Koreans swelling a 26-point burden to Gilas in the third quarter, 85-69, which soon led to a gold medal nightmare, and the fact that it’s the Philippines’ fourth straight loss to Koreans.
Oh Se Keun led his team with 22 points and five rebounds, while Kim Sunhyung propelled 21 points and three rebounds—flaring up Korea with a total of five players carving double digit scores.
Christian Standhardinger who was back in the game after missing the show against Qatar chiseled 17 points. Effort of local Roger Pogoy who contributed 12 points sparked in the last frame to fight back but Koreans smoothly ignited its defense and offense.
Gilas will enter classification phase to oppose the losing team of the Iran vs. Lebanon stretch on Saturday, August 19.
(Disclaimer: Photo Courtesy of FIBA.com)
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