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FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers: Belangel's buzzer beater tows Gilas past South Korea

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Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/06/16/gilas2.jpg"/><figcaption>CREDIT/FIBA website photo</figcaption></figure></div><p>(2nd UPDATE) Sam Belangel drilled the game-winning triple as Gilas Pilipinas stunned archrival South Korea, 81-78, in their opening match in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers at the Angeles City Foundation Gym on Wednesday.</p><p>It was a tough shot by Belangel who had to fake an attempt before twisting sideways for the trey to evade the outstretched arms of a South Korean defender.</p><p>The victory was sweet for the Philippines, which overhauled a 17-point deficit before squeezing past the RA Guna-powered South Koreans. It also assured the Philippines of a ticket in the FIBA Asia Cup in Indonesia.</p><p>Belangel went 5-of-9 from the field, including the buzzer-beating triple, to finish with 13 points.</p><p>Dwight Ramos topscored for Gilas with 16 markers, while twin towers Ange Kouame and Kai Sotto contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.</p><p>Initially, the South Koreans came charging with superior firepower as RA and US NCAA player Lee Hyun-jung took turns in lighting up the Filipinos for a 33-16 lead.</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/samahangbasketbolngpilipinas/videos/316346796867889" data-width="auto"> </div><p>Gilas found its stride late in the second quarter when Sotto started making his presence felt. By the time Kouame drilled his buzzer-beating trey to end the half, Gilas was only behind by 8 markers.</p><p>The nationals then made a strong push in the next quarter until Ramos&#x27; driving lay-up knotted the score 52-all late in the period.</p><p>But the South Koreans managed to reclaim the lead after RA&#x27;s dunk and Jeon Seong-hyen&#x27;s triple, 75-70.</p><p>It was neck-and-neck down to the last minute even as Lee drained a trey to tie the count 78-all 2 seconds remaining in the clock.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/15/21/fiba-kouame-kai-sotto-in-gilas-final-12-against-south-korea">FIBA: Kouame, Kai Sotto in Gilas&#x27; final 12 against South Korea</a></li></ul><p>Coach Tab Baldwin then quickly sued for time and drew the play which saw Ramos doing the inbound that led to Belangel&#x27;s triple.</p><p>RA topscored for South Korea with 24 points to go with his 15 rebounds, while Lee had 15 markers.</p><p>Gilas will next battle Indonesia, which will be headed by former PBA import Lester Prosper.</p><p>The Philippines is clustered with South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand in Group A of the competition.</p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1707813" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div><br/> </div>

<p>(2nd UPDATE) Sam Belangel drilled the game-winning triple as Gilas Pilipinas stunned archrival South Korea, 81-78, in their opening match in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers at the Angeles City Foundation Gym on Wednesday.</p>

(2nd UPDATE) Sam Belangel drilled the game-winning triple as Gilas Pilipinas stunned archrival South Korea, 81-78, in their opening match in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers at the Angeles City Foundation Gym on Wednesday.

FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers: Belangel's buzzer beater tows Gilas past South Korea

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FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers: Belangel's buzzer beater tows Gilas past South Korea

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 16, 2021 07:52 PM PHT

|

Updated Jun 16, 2021 09:17 PM PHT

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FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers

Gilas Pilipinas

South Korea

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