Philippines beats Korea, reaches FIBA World Cup

                                                  


 


(photo from PBA Image/NUKI SABIO)
Team Gilas marched its way to the finals of the FIBA Asia Championship by beating South Korea, 86-79, in the semifinals.

The win assured the Filipinos a complete game in the FIBA World Cup in Spain next year.

At the outset Gilas went for a 9-7 lead, before Korea's shooters started connecting to take the first quarter, 19-15.

Jason Castro came up with a series of plays to tie the game 19-all, but the Koreans overwhelmed the rally to regain the lead, 28-21.

The first half ended 39-36 with Koreans in the lead.

Philippines fought back primary in the third as Castro's back-to-back baskets had Gilas rolling, 42-39.

Ranidel de Ocampo and LA Tenorio kept the offense going for the team to make it 56-48.

Japeth Aguilar's smash helped Gilas to outspread the lead to 65-56 going into the final period.

Korea began striking its shots again and came within three points, 67-64. Gilas momentarily finished the run, but the Koreans came back and took the lead 74-73, with 4 minutes time left.

De Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag allowed Gilas to take a one-point timeout, 78-77, going into the final with 2 minutes time.

Consecutive triples from Alapag and De Ocampo finally allowed Gilas to take the 86-79 win.

The National’s victory also endorsed the Philippines to vindicate its past heartbreaking losses to Korea, which stopped the country's fights in the 2002 Asian Games and the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship.

Philippine Gilas will face Iran in the FIBA Asia Championship title game Sunday.