Gilas rally falls short, yields to Korea in exhibition game
MANILA, Philippines – Kiefer Ravena dropped 22 points while Dwight Ramos sparked a late rally but Gilas Pilipinas still fell to South Korea, 92-96, in an international friendly on Friday at Anyang Gymnasium.
The Philippines men’s basketball team battled back from a 66-83 deficit as Ramos capped their late gains with a three-point game to take the lead in round five, 82-87, with 1:49 remaining.
But Heo Ung stopped the bleeding with a three-clutch hit to give the Koreans a 90-82 score before Choi Jun-yong and Heo Hoon unleashed shots to escape the Filipinos in the first of two. their exhibition match.
Ravena tripled, while Ramos finished with 16 points.
Besides the Japanese B.League stars, Rhenz Abando Gilas also had an impressive debut with 11 points, while UAAP champion Carl Tamayo of the University of the Philippines also scored 111 points.
National team coach Nenad Vucinic also attracted quality minutes from Kevin Quiambao, RJ Abarrientos and Lebron Lopez.
Gilas Pilipinas had a good start, leading by 12 points in the second half, 43-31, and maintaining a 10-point advantage in the first half, 55-45.
However, the Koreans dropped 37 points in the third half, including a brilliant 23-3 to give their side some momentum to play in front of their ecstatic fans. .
Gilas tries to return in another friendly against the Koreans on Saturday as part of preparations for the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers.
The Philippines played with a 10-man squad after naturalization Ange Kouame knee injury.
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