Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
Photo from FIBA.basketball

2021 FIBA Asia Cup

Baldwin lauds Ramos for ‘smart play’ that led to Belangel miracle


There were a lot of heroes for young Gilas Pilipinas during its monumental triumph over South Korea, Wednesday evening at the AUF Sports & Cultural Center in Pampanga. 

As they say, it’s the coaches who draw up plays, but it’s the players who win games.

And when the going got tough for the young national team, Gilas Men program director and head coach Tab Baldwin lauded Dwight Ramos for his heads-up thinking that led to SJ Belangel’s game-winner.

With 2.9 seconds left, Gilas and South Korea saw themselves knotted at 78-all after a booming triple by Hyunjung Lee.

Off a timeout, the 6-foot-5 Ramos had the task of inbounding the ball. His choices were 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, 7-foot Angelo Kouame, 6-foot-7 Carl Tamayo, and 5-foot-10 Belangel.

Young Korean head coach Cho Sang Hyun was able to negate Baldwin’s first option.

“It was multi-optional, but the primary option was to get Carl Tamayo under the basket with the ball from a direct entry pass from Dwight. But they switched Ra (Gun-Ah) on to Carl, and Ange did not quite execute the way we wanted[, s]o the middle of the lane wasn’t available,” bared Baldwin.

“Dwight did the smart thing, because the worst thing was to get a five-second call and get Korea the ball and with the chance to win.”

Avoiding a five-second violation, Ramos dished the ball to the nearest man in Belangel. Belangel, though, was flanked by 6-foot-2 Jeon Seonghyen.

With the time winding down, Belangel needed to think for himself. And, maybe, hope for a miracle.

#ReadMore  Chot Reyes to serve as Gilas head coach for Asia Cup

“Dwight took the first available option, which was SJ, and they just made the play. Yes, he was an option, but just an entry option just to get the ball inbounds,” continued Baldwin.

Belangel was able to heave a triple over the outstretched arms of Jeon.

Swish. Game, set, Jakarta.

Gilas won 81-78 to punch its ticket to the FIBA Asia Cup this August. Belangel dealt South Korea the same heartbreak the country has been experiencing over the past three decades.

And it’s all because of Ramos and Belangel.

“Credit goes to Dwight for making the smart play and SJ just making a play,” he said.

“It’s one of those that you see every now and then. Everybody enjoys it except the other team.”

Written By


You May Also Like

ADMU

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin sees no reason to dwell on his biggest loss in the UAAP, as the Blue Eagles still have much...

Basketball

The ‘Battle of Katipunan’ rivalry has certainly intensified in the post-pandemic era, especially as archrival Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines...

ADMU

University of the Philippines showcased its dominance over archrival Ateneo de Manila University with a commanding 28-point victory, 75-47, to enhance its pursuit of...

ADMU

The rivalry between Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University will always be a crowd-drawer in the UAAP. However, the latest installment...

ADMU

Jared Bahay delivered his best scoring performance for Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday in their rivalry game against De La Salle University. The...

ADMU

Kevin Quiambao reset his career-high with 33 points as De La Salle University asserted its dominance over rival Ateneo de Manila University, 80-65, marking...

ADMU

With four games remaining in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament, De La Salle University has already secured a spot in the...

ADMU

Playing on the opponent’s home court, Ateneo de Manila University looked comfortable, defeating University of Santo Tomas, 67-64, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate...

Advertisement