Gilas Pilipinas succumbed to resilient South Korea NT, 70-82, in Taipei William Jones Cup 2015. The heroics of Terrence Romeo with 23 Points and Calvin Abueva with 9 Points late in the game proved futile as the Korean five wasted no opportunity to build a commanding win over Pilipinas Basketball Team.

Pilipinas Basketball made 8 of 23 rainbow shots for a 35% trey clip, identical with Korea. Korea, however, outrebounded RP Five with 43 to 34 Caroms and 20 to 7 Assists of the Pinoys. RP also gave-up 24 Fouls to 17 of SoKor and 14 to 11 total Turnovers.

In the final frame, Terrence Romeo’s dagger trey cut the Korean lead to only eight, 68-76 with 1:35 left. Abueva joined the fray and made two freethrows to bring the SoKor lead to six, 70-76 at 1:20 remaining. From then on, using composure, defensive stops and a 28-16 points blast, the East Asians never looked back in the final minute and assured the Filipino upset.

Romeo sizzled in the third canto which was capped by a dipsy doo underarm facial over 7’3 Ha Seung Jin. He finished the game with 75% three point shooting and 100% charities made. Gary “El Granada” David exploded much in the third and totalled 16 big Points in the game.

At the half, the Filipinos trailed the Koreans, 34-36. David topscored with 8 Points, while Castro and De Ocampo both dropped 5. Korea outrebounded Philippines 25 to 16 and dished better with 8 to 4 Assists. RP committed more fouls, 11 to 6. Being scouted after his first game, Terrence Romeo was limited to 4 Points during the first half.

In the first quarter, Korea led Philippines with a 50% clip compared to 47.1%. The SoKors rebounded 12 Caroms to 6 of the Filipinos, and passed more with 5 Assists against 3 of RP Five. RP quintet ended the quarter with 21-20 lead, as the Pinoys shot 37.5% trey that bested the 25% of the Koreans.

Philippines will face a Russia represented by a Ballclup tomorrow at 1PM.