By Adrian Stewart Co
Samjosef Belangel converted a game-winning triple as Gilas Pilipinas stunned South Korea, 81-78, in the third window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers on Wednesday at the AUF Gym in Clark, Pampanga.
With both teams knotted at 78-apiece after a triple by South Korea’s Lee Hyunjung, the Bacolod City-native Belangel made a fall-away three-pointer at the buzzer to clinch the victory for the national men’s basketball team.
Belangel finished the match with 13 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter, as Gilas Pilipinas formalized its qualification to the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup after improving to 4-0 slate in Group A.
Dwight Ramos led the way for Gilas Pilipinas with 16 points, naturalized center Angelo Kouame added 12 markers, including three outside hits, while Kai Sotto and Carl Tamayo contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
South Korea opened the match with a 6-0 lead but Gilas was quick to tie it on six straight points by Ramos. The Koreans then took advantage of the Philippines’ miscues to end the quarter with a 21-12 lead.
South Korea continued its rampage in the second period to build its largest lead at 17 points but the Philippines leaned on Sotto and Rhon Jhay Abarrientos to come within 36-44 at the half.
Gilas Pilipinas continued its uprising in the third period behind consecutive triples by Kouame and baskets from Ramos and George Isaac Go to take a 54-52 lead. But the Koreans regained a 57-56 lead after three quarters on a three-point hit.
Gilas Pilipinas started strong in the fourth to take a 68-64 on baskets from Belangel and Tamayo but South Koreans countered with a rally to take a 75-70 advantage with over two minutes left.
The Philippines rallied back on free throws by Ramos and Tamayo and inside hits by Belangel and Kouame to take a 78-75 lead with 10 seconds left but the Koreans forced a 78-all deadlock on a triple by Lee with 2.9 seconds left.
Ricardo Ratliffe finished the match with double-double 24 points and 15 rebounds, while Lee chipped in 15 markers, including three triples, as the South Koreans suffered its first loss in three matches./ASC, WDJ