GUANGZHOU, China – The Philippine Smart-Gilas team renews its rivalry against South Korea in the knockout quarterfinal match of the 16th Asian Games men’s basketball competition Wednesday at the Huangpu Gymnasium. The PHL 5 tries to avenge its heart-breaking 2002 Asian Games semifinal loss to Korea in Busan in their 1:15 p.m. encounter that will put the victor in the medal round.
The Philippines, represented then by an all-professional squad from the PBA, was holding on to a 68-66 lead after an Olsen Racela three-pointer in the final seconds of the match.
But two missed free throws by Olsen Racela and an open triple by Korean Lee Sang Min, who got the ball after a mad scramble, allowed the hosts to escape with a 69-68 win that ended the Filipinos’ chances of entering the medal round.
Asi Taulava remembers that painful loss since he was part of that all-pro squad. The veteran big man hopes to come out a winner this time.
The winner of the Philippines-South Korea duel will face the survivor in the Japan-North Korea quarterfinal encounter in the semifinals.
The Filipino dribblers booked the No. 3 spot in Group F following an 82-73 win over Chinese Taipei. Qatar was relegated to No. 4 after a 46-88 loss to Iran, and will now face host China in the quarterfinals.
The other quarterfinal match will have Iran battling Jordan.
The Philippines and Qatar wound up their preliminary round with similar 3-2 marks, but the Filipinos had beaten the Qataris, earlier, 90-68, to take the third spot. Chinese Taipei and India joined Mongolia and Uzbekistan in the consolation round.
Rajko Toroman, the Philippines’ Serbian coach, said the match against South Korea will be tough because of their size and perimeter game. “I think Korea is a very strong team. They lost to China by just 10 points. I expect a good match up with them."
The Koreans ended up as the No. 2 team in Group E, with their only loss inflicted by the hosts, 66-76.
But Toroman said South Korea’s group was not as tough as the PHL 5’s bracket, so that’s why he thinks the Philippines can pull off a surprise against their rivals.
“The other teams were not that competitive in their (Koreans) group," said Toroman, referring to Jordan and North Korea.
Assistant coach Chot Reyes said they have a strong chance to beat Korea. “They are a good team but we can beat them."
