PHL 5 loses to SoKors, bows out of Asiad medal play

GUANGZHOU, China – South Korea ended the Philippines-Smart Gilas’ hope of winning a medal in the 16th Asian Games. 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 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 from 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 to 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 to 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. The Philippines never managed a serious run in the second half, thus getting ousted from the Final Four of the Asiad for the first time since 1978. - KY/RCJ/JVP, GMANews.TV