(source: GMANews.tv) Powerade-Team Pilipinas finally suffered its first loss in the 25th FIBA-Asia men's basketball championship falling prey to a superior Korean team, 69-56, Saturday at the Tianjin gym in Tianjin, China.
Unlike in their games against Sri Lanka and Japan, the Nationals couldn’t execute properly this time as it went cold from the field, converting just 23 of their 77 shots for a 30 percent shooting clip.
They also gave up a lot of points from the foul line, where the unbeaten Koreans (3-0) were 19-of-27 compared to RP’s 6-of-11.
“I think we missed a lot of three-point shots and gave up too many free throws. I think those were the keys," said national coach Yeng Guiao, shaking his head as he took a glance at the game statistics he was holding.
The loss, coming in the aftermath of their morale-boosting 78-69 win over Japan just the other day, relegated the Nationals to second place in Group A behind the Koreans going into the next phase of the eliminations on Monday.
The tournament takes a one-day break Sunday.
South Korea, the Philippines and Japan from Group A take on Iran, Chinese-Taipei and Kuwait from Group B starting Monday, while China, Qatar and Kazakhstan from Group C battle Jordan, Lebanon and United Arab Emirates from Group D.
As per schedule, Powerade-RP is expected to cross paths with Chinese-Taipei, the no. 2 team in Group B.
Despite their cold shooting, the Nationals still found a way to battle back from a 13-point second quarter deficit as Cyrus Baguio wowed the crowd of 6,000 – including NBA star Li Jianli and the Chinese national team – by leading a big RP run in the third period.
Complementing Mick Pennisi’s three-point shooting, Baguio scored on dazzling plays in the open court, helping the Nationals to close the gap to within 36-40.
Powerade-RP was still in the match, 50-55, midway in the final quarter when the Koreans went on a decisive 12-2 run to seal the fate of the Nationals, 67-52.
Baguio led the RP charge with 16 points.
Ahead by only three, the Koreans capitalized on a 14-4 binge in the second quarter to post a 35-22 lead, a six-minute stretch when the Nationals scored only a basket per three minute intervals.
Willie Miller then drained a three-pointer – his first after six attempts – to trim the gap at 10 by halftime.
Compounding the Nationals woes was their poor shooting percentage from the floor, going just 9-of-35 for a paltry 26 percent.
In contrast, Korea proved more accurate from the field by making 46 percent of their shots (13-of-28).
Kim Minsoo already had nine for the Sokors at halftime and was chiefly responsible for that second quarter breakaway, scoring seven straight points including a two-handed slam, to instigate that big Korea scoring run.
Earlier, the Nationals also trailed by 11, (4-15), but Mick Pennisi’s three-pointer at the 4:09 mark of the first quarter got Powerade-RP going.
The period ended with the Nationals down by just three, 14-17.
Games earlier saw Japan vented its ire against Sri Lanka, 148-45, to post its first win in Group A while Chinese-Taipei (2-1) also scored a runaway victory over Uzbekistan (0-3) in Group B, 102-78.
Meanwhile, defending champion Iran and China kept their unbeaten slates after trouncing separate opponents in Group B and C, respectively.
The Iranians blasted Kuwait, 94-46, for a 3-0 record matched by the Chinese, a 92-61 winner over Qatar.
Kazakhstan registered its first victory by edging India, 74-72, in Group C game.
Scores:
Korea 69 – Yang 14, Kim 11, Oh 11, Kim Joo Sung 8, Kang 7, Ha 6, Lee 6, Joo 2 Yang Donggeun 2, Lee Jung-Suk 2.
Powerade-RP 56 – Baguio 16, Pennisi 9, Taulava 7, Raymundo 6, Dillinger 5, Yap 4, Norwood 4, Miller 4, Thoss 1, Helterbrand 0, Santos 0.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Korea defeats Powerade Team Pilipinas, 69-56 (Game Replay Video, Photos and Game Stats)
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