Gilas-Pilipinas team captain Jimmy Alapag delivered the insurance three-pointers in the final quarter that assured the Philippines of a victory against South Korea, 86-79 last night during the 27th FIBA Asia Championships at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The big win guaranteed the Philippines of a slot at the FIBA World Cup 2014 in Spain. It was sweet revenge for the Philippines who were frustrated several times by South Korea for years in many Asian tournaments. And the curse just ended last night when we won over Korea in a major tournament for the first time since 1986.
Marcus Douthit went out of the game limping in the second quarter with his right calf injury never to return to the game. Marc Pingris took over the role of a big man putting in 16 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
Gilas tasted the lead 13-10 in the first quarter. They regained the lead in the third quarter, 40-39, behind the scoring of Jayson William.
Pilipinas led by nine, 65-56, entering into the fourth quarter. But the Koreans grabbed the driver's seat with less than four minutes to go. From then on it was a see-saw affair for both teams.
Ranidel De Ocampo and Alapag saved the Philippines from another imminent frustrating defeat by pouring in the clutch baskets when the Koreans diffused the double-digit Gilas lead in the last stanza of the crucial game.
Alapag had 14 points, and he made the baskets when it was needed most. De Ocampo also delivered five points to give the Philippines the advantage when it seemed the Koreans were out to disappoint us again.
“To tell you the truth, up to now I don’t know how we did it. We just kept fighting,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes as quoted by interAKTV. “They had to carry us out of that court.”
Reyes and most of the players were in tears when the final buzzer sounded signaling the entry of the Philippines to the world championships. The last time the country joined the world tournament was when it was held in Manila in 1978.
Gilas Pilipinas will face undefeated Iran tonight in the finals to try to win the crown. The big fighting heart and the wild cheers of the jampacked crowd will again motivate our boys for the title.
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