FIBA Asia 2011: Smart Gilas Pilipinas vs. Korea Battle for 3rd Result

  

                                                     PHILIPPINES vs. KOREA
                                                            68                   70

                                             BATTLE FOR 3RD

           IT'S OVER! Frustrations all over the face of every fans and players of SMART-Gilas Pilipinas as the national team lost to South Korea, 70-68, in the bronze medal match of the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship.

        The Philippines was in control for most of the match, before naturalized forward Tae-jung Moon, who missed his first five three-point attempts, hit a three-pointer with 47 seconds left to give South Korea a 67-65 lead. The Koreans then outsteadied the Filipinos from the free throw line to keep the SMART-Gilas out of the podium for the final result.   Cho Sung-min was the latest in the long line of Korean sharpshooters to break the hearts of the Filipino faithful, scoring 20 points, including four three-pointers, and leading a fourth quarter rally that saw his team come back from an 11-point deficit. Cho also nailed the key free throws to preserve the victory for South Korea, going 3-of-4 from the line in the last minute.

          A combine effort of Marcus Douthit and Jimmy Alapag leads the way for Team Pilipinas, with the naturalized center scoring 27 points and grabbing 22 rebounds, and the reigning PBA Most Valuable Player scoring 17 points, including five three-pointers, most of which kept South Korea at bay for the first three quarters. SMART-Gilas squandered several chances to grab back the lead with shaky free throw shooting. Douthit was fouled with 38 seconds left, but only managed a split from the line to cut the Korean lead down to 67-66. SMART-Gilas was able to win possession off Douthit’s miss, but Kelly Williams missed both of his free throw attempts after being fouled with 26.5 seconds left. Cho hit two free throws for South Korea to push its lead to 69-66. SMART-Gilas drew up a play for Douthit that resulted in yet another Korean foul, but Team Pilipinas’ tower of power, who played without relief in the second half, could only make one of two shots to cut the deficit to 69-67. Marcio Lassiter grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled, but like Douthit, the Filipino-American swingman could only make one of two shots to cut the South Korea lead to 69-68. In the ensuing possession, Cho was once again fouled, but this time, the Korean main man also missed a free throw. With time running out about 6secs. remaining, Jayvee Casio run down the court shoots above the 3 point arc but didn't touch the ring as time expires sealing the win for the Koreans as we bid goodbye permanently to the hope of qualifying for the Olympic.

          A very exciting game that tells all of the Filipinos to be Proud of our team. We didn't think that we've come this far. and as I said breaks of the game did it for them.

Result:

    *Philippines finished 4th in FIBA Asia Championship 
    *Philippines did not qualify to play in the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers with other teams from around the world

Game Scores:
     Philippines 68 – Douthit 27, Alapag 17, Williams 9, Lutz 5, de Ocampo 3, Tiu 2, Casio 2, Baracael 2, Lassiter 1, Taulava 0, Barroca 0

        Quarters: 14-7, 24-17, 47-36, 68-70