GUANGZHOU, China -- South Korea jumped to a 12-point lead in the third quarter and held on to defeat a determined Smart Gilas Pilipinas, 74-66, Wednesday and advance to the Asian Games basketball semi-finals. A balanced attack by the Koreans was led by Oh Se-Keun with 19 points, while the winners shot 48 percent from the field and hit six three pointers, including three from captain Kim Sung-Chul.
"The Philippines is a really tough team. Today it was really hard to pull out the win," said Lee Seung-Jun, who scored 12 points and blocked three shots.
"Today my offense was not so good, I had to do something for my team and concentrated on defense and rebounds."
Lee said the players had discussed the deadly North Korean artillery attack on South Korea on Tuesday, expressing concern for loved ones back home, but also urging each other to remain focused on basketball.
South Korean coach Yoo Jae-Hak refused to comment on the incident after delegation officials earlier told coaches and athletes to maintain cordial relations with rivals from North Korea despite the attacks.
The Philippines was led by Pauliasi Taulava with 23 points, while Kelly Williams scored eight points and snared eight rebounds.
In later quarter-final match-ups, Japan meets North Korea, Iran takes on Jordan and reigning Asian Games champion China faces Qatar.
