Gilas Pilipinas defeats South Korea on 2021 FIBA ASIA

CUP

SJ Belangel carried the Gilas Pilipinas on his shoulders as the Philippines

stopped South Korea 81-78, to win in the qualifiers of the 2021 FIBA ASIA
CUP yesterday at the Angeles University Gym in Clark, Pampanga.

The game was tied at 78 apiece with only 2.9 seconds left in the ball game.
Belangel hit an off-balanced shot to beat the clock and give the Gilas Pilipinas
its first win over South Korea since 2013.

"Honestly po, tinarget ko lang talaga ang boarding since ‘yun ang best option sa
angle ng tira ko. Tinarget ko ang board pero hindi ko in-expect na papasok since
it was a difficult shot...Luckily pumasok po at napasaya ko ang buong
Pilipinas," he told CNN Philippines' Sportsdesk. "Having that moment
yesterday, ‘yun ang pinaka-memorable as of now sa basketball career ko."

Despite the impressive start, Belangel believes Gilas has more fight left in them.
He said the team is fighting complacency in their match against Indonesia on
Friday. He also believes they are more ready now to take on South Korea once
again on Sunday.

"For the team, we just want na, at the end of the day, we just have that trophy in
our hands. Gusto namin mag-champion and to make everyone proud sa ating
bayan. Iyon ang ultimate goal namin. As a player, hindi lang kami naglalaro
para sa amin, kung hindi para sa bayan," he said.

Belangel finished with 13 points along with the game-winner. Dwight Ramos
topscored for Gilas with a team-high 16 points while the debuting Kouame and
Kai Sotto had 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Philippines is unbeaten at 4-0 in Group A, securing its ticket to the FIBA
Asia Cup in Indonesia.