Korea gives RP a taste of Tianjin

TAIPEI – Powerade Team Pilipinas mixed it up with old Asian nemesis South Korea and had a glimpse of what to expect in Tianjin as the Nationals were outran, outhustled and outgunned.

The Koreans put everything on display in topping the Filipinos, 83-80, in the 31st William Jones Cup basketball competition at the Hsinchuang Gymnasium here last night.

With the win, Korea drew level with Jordan, Iran and Lebanon atop the heap with three days left in the nine-day, nine-nation invitational competition. RP slid to 1-4.

Jordan, the two-time defending champion, suffered its first loss in five outings as it opted to forfeit its match with Iran after a fight broke out barely two minutes into the contest.

RP coach Yeng Guiao said the Korean team should be a major concern for them in the coming FIBA-Asia championship in Tianjin, China. The Koreans are among the teams the Filipinos have to hurdle in the elimination round in the Asian meet to make the quarterfinals.

“Korea is a strong team with a chance to win the championship here,” said Guiao.

In a preview of their Tianjin showdown, the Koreans – the Asian Games in Busan in 2002 – outplayed the Filipinos with an impressive all-around game.

Better in running their plays and in shooting the basket, the Koreans seized the initiatives early and took control most of the way.

Though falling behind by 16 midway through the third period, the Filipinos stayed in the fight but just couldn’t get a long, decisive run to grab the upperhand.

They threatened for the last time at 76-78 before Korean star forward Kim Min-soo knocked in the last of his four three-pointers in the night, giving his team a five-point cushion with a little over a minute left to play.

Nonetheless, Guiao again saw a silver lining in defeat.

“It’s another lesson for us. It’s important that we’re able to feel and study the Korean game. They would be our biggest competitor in our group in the FIBA-Asia championship,” said Guiao.

“I think what we showed was good enough. James Yap and Jayjay Helterbrand couldn’t shoot well and I didn’t put pressure on them. Staying close with them is an achievement for us for now,” Guiao added.