Even with Jordan Clarkson in the lineup, Gilas Pilipinas still could not overcome the South Korean curse.
Gilas Pilipinas played all-out in front of their compatriots in the GBK Basketball Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia, but it wasn’t enough to bring down a fiery South Korea, 91-82, in the 2018 Asian Games quarterfinals, Monday afternoon.
The loss to the Koreans was made tougher to swallow because dashed the Philippines’ hopes of a podium finish in the quadrennial meet. Moreover, the Philippines has yet to win over South Korea in the Asiad since 1970.
“I take the responsibility because we just did not prepare that long. We were not able to train that long and I’ll take that responsibility,” head coach Yeng Guiao said.
Clarkson led the Filipinos with 25 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Christian Standhardinger was all over the place with 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Stanley Pringle made 14 markers.
The Filipino dribblers actually overcame a sluggish 17-7 start in the match, and they had their first-ever taste of the lead with 6:29 remaining in the second quarter, 25-24, thanks to Clarkson’s pull-up from the perimeter.
With momentum on their side, Gilas exploded in the third quarter – just as they did versus China in their previous game. They led by eight twice, with the last one at 52-44 with 7:31 to go after Clarkson’s uncontested lay-up.
But things started to go down for Gilas when center Poy Erram went out with 6:21 left in the third, as he crashed on the sidelines after chasing down a loose ball. Without him, Korea took advantage, and they eventually closed in.
The Koreans then played mercilessly come the fourth. From a 67-68 deficit, Korea bombarded Gilas with three-pointers on their way to a finishing 22-8 blitz – ended by Jeon Jun Beom’s trey – for an 89-76 lead with 1:57 left.
“Korea just played better. They were able to get the outside shooting going in the fourth quarter,” Guiao expressed.
Paul Lee chipped in 11 markers in the loss.
Naturalized Korean and former Star Hotshots import Ricardo Ratliffe led Korea with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Kim Sun Hyung had a double-double also with 17 points and 10 dimes, while Heo Il Young had 17 as well.
With their win, Korea is now bound for the semifinals, and will await for the winner of the Iran-Japan clash for their opponents in the penultimate round. The Koreans are looking to defend the gold medal they won in 2014.
The Philippines, meanwhile, will play in the classification round for the fifth place tomorrow, Tuesday, August 28.
“We’re gonna go all out (for fifth place).”
The Scores:
Philippines 82 – Clarkson 25, Standhardinger 16, Pringle 14, Lee 11, Almazan 7, Norwood 3, Belga 3, Taulava 0, Erram 0.
Korea 91 – Ratliffe 30, Kim 17, Heo IY 17, Lee SH 11, Jeon 9, Heo U 6, Lee JH 1, Park 0, Choi 0.
Quarterscores: 18-22, 42-44, 65-64, 91-82.
