South Korean five whips Kazakhstan

BUSAN, South Korea — South Korea booked an Asian Games men’s basketball semifinal date with the Philippines after a 114-98 victory over Kazakhstan here Wednesday.

The Koreans’ triumph in the last quarterfinal round game set the pairings for Saturday’s semi-finals, with gold medal favorite China to face Kazakhstan and the hosts to face the Filipinos. Winners meet Monday for the gold medal.

Only South Korea and China have marched through the event unbeaten so far.

China’s dominating inside game, paced by National Basketball Association top draft choice Yao Ming, figures to be too much for the Kazaks, who were outrebounded, 42-31, by the Koreans.

South Korea and Philippines are accustomed to meeting at this stage, with the winner expected to be an underdog to China in the final and the loser tabbed as the favorite in Sunday’s bronze medal game.

"Philippines is a very good team," South Korea coach Kim Jin said. "We will have to play our best to win."

Filipino coach Joseph Uichico knows the same is true for his players, who go from facing the inside might of China’s big men to the deadly three-point shooting accuracy of the South Koreans.

"All our efforts will be in the South Korea game," Uichico said. "They are the exact opposite of China. China is dominant near the basket. South Korea is dominant in the perimeter.

"We just have to stop their perimeter game and we have a chance."

The Koreans connected on 14-of-25 three-point attempts, including 6-of-8 in the first half.

Sharpshooter Moon Kyung-Eun sank 6-of-7 three-point attempts and led South Korea with 22 points, while Bang Sung-Yoon added 21, center Seo Jang-Hoon contributed 18, Kim Joo-Sung added 16 and Chun Hee-Chul scored 15 points.

Kazakhstan gave the Koreans a tussle for most of the first half. It took Chun’s three-pointer at the buzzer to pull the Koreans level 25-25 after one quarter.

The Koreans went on a 22-4 run late in the first half to seize a 60-41 lead on the way to a 63-45 halftime edge. (AFP)