PBA bigs says future is bright with Kai Sotto, other young guns around

A number of PBA big men all agreed that NBA G League bound Kai Sotto is among the future stars of Philippine basketball.

In an online talk, Marc Pingris, Asi Taulava, Poy Erram, June Mar Fajardo and Beau Belga, who all became part of the Philippine national team talked, about the upcoming stars who will take their place.

"For sure si Kai nandu'n," said San Miguel Beer star Fajardo. "Sobrang ganda ng training ni Kai ngayon, baka ako pa turuan nu'n."

Sotto, who recently announced he'll be joining the G League, has been part of Batang Gilas juniors team.

The 7-foot-2 center has shown vast potential that even former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao listed him as part of the men's national pool in the run-up to the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Besides Sotto, Taulava said Thirdy Ravena could be a future centerpiece, too, of Gilas.

"I think they're going to be the one or two who's going to be carrying the team," said Taulava.

Erram added: "Siyempre sila CJ Perez, hindi lang naman sa big man pero sa mga guards din. We stick to those guys (din) like sila CJ, sila Thirdy, sila (Robert) Bolick, sila Kiefer (Ravena)."

Meanwhile, Belga said Isaac Go could be an "enforcer" just like him.

"Excited ako sa kanya kasi nakasama ko siya sa Mighty (Sports). Naging roommate kami and nakita ko 'yung work ethic ng bata. Medyo aggressive siya para sa edad niya," Belga said.

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FIBA World Cup: Italy improves to 2-0, routs Angola

FOSHAN, China -- Italy made it two wins in a row in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup after defeating Angola, 92-61, in Group D on Monday at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center here. 

The Italians were coming off a comfortable 108-62 demolition of the Philippines last Saturday night, and preserved its perfect group round record by cruising to another victory.

Angola was able to stay close to Italy in the early goings, but San Antonio’s Marco Belinelli helped his team pull away, 25-11, at the end of the first frame. 

Triples from Belinelli and Jeff Brooks in the second quarter padded their lead, and the best efforts of Angola’s Leonel Paulo were not enough to get his team to catch up.

A loss by the Philippines to Serbia in the second game of the day will assure the Italians of a spot in the second round of the tournament.

Angola, meanwhile, dropped to 0-2 ahead of its game against the Philippines on Wednesday.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Australia's Maker takes responsibility for role in brawl with Gilas

MANILA, Philippines – Australia's Thon Maker on Tuesday expressed his disappointment for his role in the shocking brawl that occurred between the Boomers and Gilas Pilipinas during a FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Punches and shoves were exchanged among Filipinos and Australians in the melee, which occurred with four minutes to go in the third quarter of the game on Monday night.

Plenty of attention was on Maker, the Milwaukee Bucks center who was playing in just his second international game for Australia. The 7-foot-1 big man was caught trying to hit Filipino players – notably Terrence Romeo – with a flying kick.

When the dust settled, he was one of four Australian players ejected from the game. Nine Gilas players were also thrown out; the game wrapped up with a minute and 57 seconds left in the third frame as the Boomers won by default, 89-53.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the 21-year-old Maker said he was "deeply disappointed in the actions displayed during yesterday's game against the Philippines."

"Being from a war-torn country, basketball for me has always been a means to bring people together," said Maker, who was born in South Sudan before making his way to Australia as a refugee when he was five-years old.

"I feel a great responsibility as an NBA player to carry myself in a way that promotes peace and unity," he added. 

"I take responsibility for my actions, knowing that they were a result of my desire to protect my teammates and myself."

Maker also expressed his hope that the incident would "provide a springboard for discussion regarding the security surrounding these games." 

It had taken a little over a minute before the security at Philippine Arena managed to separate the players and send them to their respective benches.

"It is a tremendous honor to represent Australia, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the NBA, and my goal is to reflect that in my conduct and play," Maker concluded.

Maker scored eight points in the game against the Philippines, which secured for Australia the top spot in Group B heading into the second round of the qualifiers.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

WATCH: The Gilas Pilipinas plays that destroyed Iraq

Gilas Pilipinas' domination of Iraq will be best remembered for that slick Terrence Romeo steal that ended up with a nifty reverse layup. Check out the other highlights of the Philippines' 84-68 victory in the FIBA Asia Cup on Friday.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

FIBA Asia Cup: More than #puso, nerves of steel keyed Gilas upset of China

MANILA -- Five good-vibes takeaways from the Philippines' 96-87 win over China in the FIBA Asia Cup on Wedneday.

Quick start

Coach Chot Reyes wants his teams to jump out of the gates and, given that his roster in Lebanon is already thin up front and his squad has little margin for error against the defending champions, that philosophy became more imperative against China.

Proper execution initiated by Jayson Castro, the willingness by Gilas' big men to go toe to toe with China's behemoths, and long-distance shooting led to a 7-0 start and a 26-16 advantage at one point in the first quarter.

The Filipinos would lose the lead, true, but by the time they did, the confidence Reyes and his crew had mustered while being up by double digits allowed them to keep their composure and execute well down the stretch.

Big men stood their ground

Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan and Christian Standhardinger outworked and, more importantly, outsmarted China's vaunted front line. Their ability to cut to the basket and receive a pass, then take advantage of the Chinese big men's slow reaction time flummoxed the reigning title holders in the first half. It helped, too, that Aguilar and Almazan can knock down 3s.

Battling opponents bigger than he is is nothing new to Standhardinger, having had experience playing in Europe and the US.

While that fourth-quarter run will be best remembered for Terrence Romeo's heroics, it was Aguilar's constantly looming threat as a shot-blocker that prevented China from doing more damage.

Playing as a third-string center, Almazan provided quality minutes when Aguilar and Standhardinger sat out because of foul trouble. Legitimately gone are the initial jitters that seemed to have held him back in his early days as a fresh Gilas call-up this year. On Wednesday, Almazan let the game come to him on offense, hustled on defense and along the way posterized three Chinese giants.

Gabe Norwood, Swiss Army knife

The Rain Or Shine forward was a disruptive force who repeatedly got in between passing lanes en route to a game-high 3 steals to go with 3 blocks. Whether as a help defender or in a one-on-one situation, Norwood can excel in both roles because of his height. While everyone else on the roster is undersized compared with his Chinese counterpart, the 6-foot-6 Norwood matches up well with China.

Norwood's first stint with the national team, under Reyes coincidentally, came exactly 10 years ago this month in the FIBA Asia championship in Japan. From a rookie looking for his place on a star-laden team to a leader who works by example and embraces his role as mentor, Norwood has come a long way.

More than #puso, nerves of steel

It's easy to mix up which body part best depicts Gilas' character but, while #puso is the team's trademark battlecry, it was steel nerves that essentially keyed the Philippines' upset of China.

There were several instances in which China clawed its way back from double-digit deficits, but Reyes and co. found a way to keep the Chinese at bay.

When China came within 28-21 after being down by 10, the Philippines launched a 10-0 run to go up 38-21 in the second quarter. In the third, China threatened again, narrowing the gap to 59-50, before the Philippines countered with a 6-0 attack to take a 15-point lead and force China to call timeout.

Of course, Gilas' ultimate display of toughness came when the Filipinos were down 87-84. Led by Terrence Romeo, the Philippines finished off China with a 12-0 run to complete the mind-boggling victory.

It takes heart to come from behind, sure, but it requires intestinal fortitude to stave off repeated comeback tries by juggernaut China and beat the reigning champs in a closely fought game.

Terrence Romeo

This game was supposed to be how China was going to maul the smaller Filipinos, but Goliath didn't stand a chance against David and one particular 5-foot-10 Tasmanian devil of a guard.

It took a lot of faith by Reyes, a forever advocate of basketball egalitarianism, to put the ball in one man's hands down the stretch, especially since Romeo made some head-scratching decisions a few sequences prior.

But Romeo didn't disappoint going full "Mamba mentality," becoming the ultimate epitome of "wow" in arguably the most glorious 1-minute, 34-second stretch in Philippine basketball history.

The degree of difficulty of his shots, the magnitude of the stage, the urgency of the moment, and the long-standing and bitter nature of the Philippines' rivalry with China all combined to make sure that Romeo's heroics on Wednesday won't be forgotten in a long while.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Kobe Paras says there's nothing like playing for country

Kobe Paras said he won't hesitate to wear the national colors if given the chance.

This was the Filipino basketball sensation’s answer when asked by his followers on Twitter if he’s willing to play for Gilas Pilipinas.

“If given a chance. Why not?” said Paras on his Twitter page. “[It] depends if the coach asks me to join [the national team].”

The incoming freshman at Creighton University opened himself to online questions on Friday, saying he is be willing to answer “appropriate questions.”

Paras, a son of PBA legend Benjie Paras, said there is nothing like representing his country in international competitions.

“Yeah. Playing for your country is the best thing ever,” he said, when asked if he agrees with the sentiments of Carmelo Anthony and DeAndre Jordan who said that that winning Olympic gold is better than winning an NBA title.

Really bored right now.

Going to only answer appropriate questions.

Use #AskKobeP so I can see your questions 🤘🏽 — Kobe™ (@Im_Not_Kobe) August 19, 2016


But for now, he said his main goal is to help Creighton University in the US NCAA Division 1.

“[I want] to win a ring with the Bluejays,” said Paras.

He also took a swipe at the UCLA Bruins by saying that he is having a good time with Creighton.

“They treat us like family here and they don’t lie,” said the Filipino baller.

Paras was originally committed to UCLA, but for some reason, the university deemed him ineligible for allegedly failing to meet academic requirements.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Castro is still Asia's best point guard

Jayson Castro is still Asia’s best point guard after steering the Philippines to a silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Championship.

The spitfire player was again named to FIBA Asia’s Mythical Five after the Philippines' title clash against eventual champion China on Saturday. China won 78-67.

Castro was also chosen as Asia’s top point guard in the 2013 edition of FIBA Asia where Gilas also finished second.


Other players on this year's Mythical Five are Iran’s Samad Bahrami, and China’s Zhou Qui, Ailun Guo and Jianlian Yi.

Yi was named Most Valuable Player (MVP).

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Gilas Pilipinas suffers heartbreak against China

Gilas Pilipinas settled for silver in the FIBA Asia Championship after bowing to host team China, 78-67, during their title clash in Changsha late Saturday.

With their superior height and better shooting, the Chinese squad managed to maintain a consistent gap starting from the second quarter.

The Chinese went 9-of-24 from the three-point line and made the most of their free throw attempts by sinking 21 out of 33 charities.

Ailun Guo had 19 points for China, which also got 16 markers from Qi Zhuo.

Andray Blatche paced the Filipinos with 17 points and five rebounds. He is the only Gilas player who managed to tally a double-digit output.

Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo had nine points each for the blue shirts, while Jayson Castro was held to only eight markers.

The Filipinos had a strong start, engaging China in a tight game during the first quarter. But the Chinese had a breakout second quarter while holding Gilas to merely 16 points for a 46-35 halftime lead.

Blatche and Castro tried to rally the Philippine side in the third quarter, but could get no closer than five points.

China eventually secured the title and the automatic qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

But prior the game, the host country apparently used dirty tactics to put the Philippine team in a disadvantage.

 The Filipinos' travel to the stadium was delayed after their electric coaster did not arrive on time due to lack of charge.

Upon arriving at the contest venue, the Chinese utility men were seen fixing Gilas' ring while China was already doing their practice shots at the other end.

These situations robbed Gilas of precious practice time.

The Philippines still has a chance to compete in the Games with another Olympic Qualifying Tournament coming up in July 2016. The winners will be able to join the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.

Meanwhile, former champion Iran settled for the bronze medal by beating Japan, 68-63.

Malacanang congratulated Gilas Pilipinas for their achievement.

"We join the Filipino people in celebrating Gilas Pilipinas’ silver medal finish in the 2015 FIBA Asia Basketball Championships. Throughout this tournament, our team displayed the Philippine brand of selfless, creative, passionate basketball, fuelled by the warm and vocal support of Filipinos at home and abroad. Our people have shown the world what it means to be Filipino, and this serves as inspiration for all of us to work even harder in our respective endeavors, fulfill our individual potentials, and secure the national pride we have reclaimed, one success after another, in varying fields," Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

"We congratulate our players, our coaches, and supporters, and we encourage all our countrymen to continue their support for our athletes in general, and for Gilas Pilipinas in particular, as they continue to pursue our collective basketball dream of landing a berth in the 2016 Olympics."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

WATCH: Highlights of China vs Philippines final

Watch the highlights of the Philippines vs. China final in the FIBA Asia Championship in Hunan, China on Saturday.

China won 78-67 and automatically qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics. -- Courtesy of FIBA Asia

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June Mar willing to return to Gilas

MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beer’s big man June Mar Fajardo is very much willing to serve the country once again if he gets the call to re-join Gilas Pilipinas for the coming 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

Fajardo was one of Gilas Pilipinas’ vital cogs during the Philippines second-place finish in the 2013 edition of the Asian tournament and there’s a big possibility that he would get summoned again when the country competes in China this September.

“Why not? Kasi Gilas 'yun eh, para sa bayan 'yun eh,” the amiable Cebuano said during San Migue Beer’s victory party on Wednesday. “Kung kukunin ako at papayagan ako ng San Miguel, why not?”

Aside from joining Gilas in the FIBA Asia tilt, Fajardo also played with the nationals in the FIBA Worlds and the Asian Games.

He said the Gilas experience taught him well when it comes to using his size and skills against taller foreign players.

“[‘Yung] international experience, nagagamit ko sa PBA eh. Kasi sa international competitions, malaki ang mga nakakaharap ko,” said Fajardo. “’Pag dating sa PBA hindi na gaanong malaki kaya yung kumpyansa mo tumataas.”

But for now, he said his main focus is to do well in the foreign-flavored PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Fajardo said they will be playing against imports this time and will have to win more games to realize San Miguel’s Grand Slam dreams.

The Beermen have already pocketed the Philippine Cup crown and will still need to win the Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup to duplicate San Miguel’s 1989 Grand Slam.

“Focus muna ako sa second conference kasi malalaki ang kalaban eh,” he said.

San Miguel will have its first game against KIA Carnival, who has 7-foot-3 import Peter John Ramos.

Fajardo said all they need to do is to follow the system to take care of Ramos’ brilliant offense.

“May game plan naman si coach eh, kailangan lang sundin ang sistema ni coach kasi alam naman natin para sa team 'yun eh, hindi pwedeng gagawa gawa kami ng kanya kanyang plays eh. dapat sundin namin ang sistema ni coach,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Iran breaks Gilas' hearts anew

Iran once again broke the hearts of Gilas Pilipinas, 68-63, as the Filipinos squandered a fourth-quarter lead in their Group E game in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea on Thursday afternoon.

Gilas took a 63-61 lead after Gabe Norwood made two free throws with a little over two minutes to go, but Iran ended the game on a 7-0 blast to extend their mastery over the Philippines.

The game was a rematch of the finals of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, which Iran also won to take the gold medal.

It seemed as though Gilas would finally earn a win over Iran as they led by seven, 60-53, with 6:35 to go after Marc Pingris split his free throws.

Iran's Samad Nikkhah Bahrami sparked a comeback, however, and Mehdi Kamrani drilled a triple to give his team a 61-60 lead with 4:08 left.

Paul Lee tied the game with a split at the line, and Norwood's charities gave Gilas back the lead, but it would be the last time that the Filipinos got on the scoreboard as Iran wound up ending the game with a 15-3 run in the final five minutes.

Both Iran and the Philippines still advanced to the quarterfinals of the Asian Games basketball tournament, but Gilas finds itself in what may be a tougher group following this loss.

Lee finished with 11 points for Gilas, while Douthit scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Hamed Haddadi led the way for Iran with 20 points and 15 boards. Bahrami led all scorers with 21, and Kamrani added 12 markers.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Gilas PH loses heartbreaker to Croatia

Gilas Pilipinas put up a good fight against 16th-ranked Croatia and lost by just 3 points, 81-78, in its first game in the FIBA World Cup in Spain on Saturday.

The Philippine national team, ranked 34th in FIBA, rallied from a 14-point deficit, 23-9, at the end of the first quarter to bring it down to just 6, 37-31, at the half.

Gilas kept it a close game in the 2nd half and took its first taste of the lead in the last 3 minutes of the 4th quarter after Jeff Chan hit all 3 free throws to make it 67-66 with 2:49 to go.

A drive by naturalized player Andre Blatche upped the lead to 3, 69-66, with 2:20 minutes left.

After a timeout by Croatia, they got 2 straight baskets to lead by 2, 71-69.

A jump shot by Jayson Castro put the score at 71-all with 35 seconds remaining.

The Philippines had a chance to win it but Jeff Chan missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.

In overtime, it was close throughout but Croatia shot better, especially at the free-throw line, to beat the Philippines.

Castro had a chance to force a 2nd overtime but his 3-point shot at the buzzer missed.

The game marked the Philippines' return to the world championships, 36 years after it last competed in the 1978 FIBA Worlds. -- with reports from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lawmakers seek probe of 'Last Home Stand'

MANILA – Rep. Winston "Winnie" Castelo on Wednesday expressed his disgust over the cancellation of the exhibition game between Gilas Pilipinas and a group of NBA stars, and sought an immediate congressional probe "in aid of legislation" on the circumstances surrounding the fiasco.

Castelo on Wednesday filed House Resolution 1293, which seeks to come out with a remedial legislation that could prevent the recurrence of the incident.

Filipino basketball fans had paid as much as P23,000 a ticket to see a basketball game between the national team players and the NBA stars. The cancelled game was supposed to be part of a series of exhibition games before Gilas flies to Spain to play in the FIBA World Cup.

Reports suggested that the PLDT Group of Companies, which sponsored the cancelled game, appeared to have been duped by a US-based event organizing group, which promised the conglomerate to bring in the NBA players.

Citing press reports, PLDT was informed by the other party to the agreement just hours before the event that the NBA players were barred from playing, citing the existing NBA players' memo which informed the player agents and the players themselves that the NBA does not allow unsanctioned exhibition games, Castelo said.

Castelo said Congress has to initiate an inquiry to prevent a repetition even as PLDT chairman Manny Pangilinan said "a refund scheme was being put in motion" because he did not want the public to feel shortchanged.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lakers' Gasol congratulates Gilas

MANILA, Philippines – Los Angeles Lakers big man Pau Gasol sent his congratulations to the Philippine national basketball team on Twitter after Gilas Pilipinas qualified to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

Gasol, a member of the Spain national team, congratulated Gilas, Iran and Korea after the three teams earned berth to the world championships.

“Congratulations to Gilas, Iran and Korea for qualifying for the Spain’s world championships next year! See you there!” Gasol tweeted last weekend.

Iran won the 27th FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship last Sunday, with Gilas finishing in second place and South Korea ending up third.

When thanked by the Gilas Pilipinas Twitter account, Gasol replied: “It’s going to be a great championship! Congratulations again for qualifying!”

As hosts, the Spanish team already qualified to the World Cup. Olympic gold medalists United States have also qualified.

Gasol’s teammate with the Lakers, Kobe Bryant, also congratulated the Philippine team during his visit to Manila last Monday and offered some words of advice.

“Just believe in yourselves. They have to tune out the noise and don’t get all caught up in the hoopla and the attention, because if they do, they’ll forget what they can do,” Bryant said. “If they focus internally and go out there next summer ready to win.”

The 2014 FIBA World Cup will be held in six different cities in Spain from August 30 to September 14, with the final round being held in Barcelona and Madrid.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Kobe tells Gilas: Keep working as a team

MANILA, Philippines -- Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant had a few words of advice for the Gilas Pilipinas national team after their silver medal finish in the recently concluded 27th FIBA Asia Men's Basketball Championship.

Bryant, who is in Manila to promote Lenovo mobile phones, told Gilas Pilipinas to continue to keep playing as a team.

"Just continue to play together," he said during a press conference at Resorts World Monday. "It's a team sport. It's about how individuals work together."

Bryant stressed that playing as a team will allow Gilas to hide some of their weaknesses as individuals.

Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, also advised the national team to "tune out the noise and the fanfare" and instead focus on the task at hand, which is the FIBA World Cup in Spain next year.

Gilas' second place finish in the FIBA Asia tournament allowed them to clinch a berth in the World Cup next year, marking their return to the world stage for the first time since 1973.

The United States have already qualified to the World Cup although it remains to be seen if Bryant will still play for Team USA.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Castro in FIBA Asia Mythical Five

MANILA, Philippines -- Gilas Pilipinas guard Jason Castro showed that he has what it takes to compete not just against the best players in the PBA, but also against the best that Asia has to offer.

Castro, known as "Jason William" to his opponents in the FIBA Asia Championships, was named to the tournament's Mythical Five after an impressive campaign that saw him use his speed and shiftiness to blow by past his defenders.

Known fondly as "The Blur" by Filipino fans, Castro scored 17 points in the semifinals against Korea to spark Gilas, then had 18 points on Sunday against Iran.

Joining Castro in the Mythical Five is South Korea's young shooting guard Kim Mingoo, who torched Gilas for 27 points Saturday night and scored 21 Sunday to power his team's rout of Chinese Taipei.

Chinese Taipei's Lim Chih-Chieh also made the cut, along with Iran's Oshin Sahakian, who had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds tonight against the Philippines.

Rounding out the Mythical Five is Iran's 7-footer Hamed Hadadi, who was easily the most dominant player in the tournament. Against Gilas, he scored 29 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as he exploited the absence of naturalized player Marcus Douthit.

Hadadi was also named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, and he acknowledged that Iran's quarter-final loss in the 2011 edition of the tournament was a primary motivation for him this year.

"I was waiting for this championship. I think about the loss to Jordan (in 2011), and I watched it 10 times, 20 times to see what happened in the game," he said.

"It was a great tournament. We started strong and until the end, we focused. On each game, we come and play defense," Hadadi added. "Today we did not play so good in the first half, but in the second half we played better and better, and we won the game and got the championship."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Gilas bows to Iran in FIBA Asia finals

MANILA, Philippines -- An undermanned Gilas Pilipinas put together a valiant effort before succumbing to a bigger, taller Iran team, 85-71, in the championship game of the 27th FIBA Asia Men's Basketball Championship.

Playing without naturalized player Marcus Douthit, Gilas briefly led in the opening period and kept within striking distance until the final quarter.

But Iran, powered by center Hamed Hadadi, simply overpowered the Filipinos in the final frame, wherein they finally took control of the game.

It was Iran's third Asian championship in the last four years.

Both Iran and the Philippines, along with third-placer Korea, earned berths to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Philippines beats Korea, reaches FIBA World Cup

MANILA, Philippines -- Gilas Pilipinas marched its way to the finals of the FIBA Asia Championship by beating South Korea, 86-79, in the semifinals.

The win assured the Filipinos an outright berth in the FIBA World Cup in Spain next year.

Gilas initially went for a 9-7 lead, before Korea's shooters started connecting to take the first quarter, 19-15.

Jason Castro came up with a string of plays to tie the game 19-all, but the Koreans quashed the rally to regain the lead, 28-21.

The first half ended 39-36 with the Koreans ahead.

The Nationals fought back early in the third as Castro's back-to-back baskets had Gilas surging, 42-39.

LA Tenorio and Ranidel de Ocampo kept the offense going for the Nationals to make it 56-48.

Japeth Aguilar's slam helped Gilas to extend the lead to 65-56 going into the final period.

Korea began hitting its shots again and came within three points, 67-64. Gilas momentarilly halted the run, but the Koreans came back and grabbed the lead 74-73, 4 minutes left.

Jimmy Alapag and De Ocampo allowed Gilas to take a one-point breather, 78-77, going into the final 2 minutes.

Successive triples from De Ocampo and Alapag eventually allowed Gilas to take the 86-79 win.

The victory also allowed the Philippines to vindicate its past heartbreaking losses to Korea, which foiled the country's campaigns in the 2002 Asian Games and the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship.

Gilas will face Iran in the FIBA Asia Championship title game Sunday.

Iran defeated Chinese Taipei, 79-60, in the other semifinal match.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Gilas gave us a lesson in intensity, says Qatar coach

MANILA, Philippines – The Qatar national team had reason to feel good about themselves after they scored nine straight points in the final minutes of the first quarter that allowed them to tie Gilas Pilipinas, 20-20.

But they were stunned in the second period when the Filipinos found their stroke from the outside and outscored them, 27-9, to enter the halftime with a 47-29 lead that Qatar would not be able to overcome.

“The first quarter, I think we finished 20-20, it was equal,” said Qatar’s Yasseen Musa after the game. “But the second quarter, we couldn’t get back on defense. The defense and the offense were so terrible.”

Gilas Pilipinas would go on to hand Qatar their first loss of the competition, 80-70, and coach Thomas Wisman was visibly disappointed with his squad's performance after the game.

“Congratulations to the Philippine team,” Wisman said. “They deserved to win tonight, and they gave us a lesson in 40-minute intensity.”

“It only takes one quarter of great intensity that they had in the second quarter that we didn’t match to make a difference in the game,” he added. “It’s a lesson that we have to take.”

Wisman said they tried to slow the pace to counter Gilas’ advantage in speed, but it didn’t work out in their favor, especially in the second period.

“Our second quarter was unacceptable at this level. It was a 27-9 quarter, and you’re not gonna win ball games when you let that happen,” he said.

Musa rued the breakdown of their offense in the second period, noting that they “didn’t share the ball.”

“The ball was not moving side to side and (we made) a lot of one-on-one decisions. The point guards made the difference for the Philippine national team. They hit four three-point shots, a couple of lay-ups, and that made the difference,” he said.

Wisman took heart in his team’s late fightback, as they cut the lead to seven points in the final quarter before the Filipinos put the game away through the free throw line.

“I was happy with how we fought back. We stayed at the task, came after them and showed some character, but we gotta take a lesson about intensity with this game,” he said.

Musa, meanwhile, said the loss was a “wake-up call” for the erstwhile unbeaten Qatar team.

“I think we need this loss, this is a wake-up call for us. It’s good to lose in the game in the first round or second round, and not to lose in the knockout games,” he said.

“We still have a chance to finish first in our group. If we beat Taiwan by 10 points or 11 points, we still have a chance,” he added.

“We have 14 hours to come back and play the next game, and we have to bring our A-game tomorrow.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com