Koreans formidable, says RP scout

Aside from its built-in homecourt advantage, Korea will be armed with its dreaded outside artillery and a vastly improved motion game, making it impossible for the Philippines to beat them if the 2002 Asian Games is to be played now.

This was the assessment of RP team chief scout Binky Favis of the Koreans after his 17-day scouting mission in the Korean peninsula.

"They’re so good. We have to raise the level of our game notches higher to beat them," said Favis, hinting that the Koreans would pose a big problem to the Filipinos in the Asiad war.

"The Koreans now also play American basketball. . . doing screens, pick and roll, etcetera, but they maintain their outside shooting. Kaya lalong gumaling," Favis added.

Favis together with national assistant coach Eric Altamirano watched several games in the Korean pro league and was able to take footages of a number of players who are likely to compose the Korean national team.

Favis was impressed of the Korean players and he made special mention of American-trained behemoth Seo Jang Hoon who has actually made good account of himself in the 1998 Asiad in Bangkok.

Seo humbled Marlou Aquino and Andy Seigle in their personal duels, erupting for 26 points, as the Koreans walloped the RP Centennial Teamers, 103-83, in Bangkok.

"He’s a legitimate 6-foot-10 who is fast and agile with his height. Mayroon din tira sa labas. Ang galing," said Favis.

But Favis didn’t rule out the possibility of the Philippines upsetting Korea. He said: "Our national team have to improve. Lalo na sa pasahan, kailangan bumilis. We have got videos of the Koreans, baka masilipan natin ng butas ang laro nila, pwedeng talunin."

After completing scouting missions in Japan and Korea, Favis will next fly to Malaysia late this month to scout the Lebanese, the Syrians and the United Arab Emirates squad in the ABC Champions Cup.

Meanwhile, Purefoods takes another shot at a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals while Sta. Lucia Realty seeks the fifth of eight slots in the next round as they clash in a crucial tiff in the Samsung PBA Governors Cup at the Philsports Arena today.

Alaska Milk takes on also-ran Shell in the other game, hoping to snap a two-game skid to stay in contention not only for the quarters but also the twice-to-beat privilege in the next round.

The Hotdogs bungled their first attempt at a guaranteed spot in the Magic Four when they suffered a 75-89 loss to the Airfreight 2100/FedEx Express last Friday.

But with a 7-2 win-loss card, the Hotdogs still have two cracks at the Top Four with the first against the Realtors at 3:45 p.m. today and the second versus the Red Bull Thunder next Saturday.

The Realtors, with a 5-4 card, and the Aces, with a 4-5 slate, need to sweep their last two games to have a chance at a twice-to-beat incentive.