Gilas Pilipinas battled back from 17 points down to stun Korea via a buzzer-beating bank shot triple that gave them an 81-78 victory on Wednesday in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers third window played in Pampanga, Philippines.
SJ Belangel hit the game-winner for the national team, which is primarily composed of cadets plus naturalized big man Ange Kouame and NBA prospect Kai Sotto.
The Philippines shook off a bad start and showed composure and poised throughout the game. Five players finished in double-digit scoring, led by Dwight Ramos’ 16 points and Belangel’s 13. Kouame and Sotto added 12 and 11, respectively.
The game sent shockwaves on social media, as 11 of the top 20 Philippine Twitter trends right after were all related to the Gilas-Kora affair, including “buzzer beater”, “Dwight Ramos”, “SJ Belangel”, “Coach Tab”, “#LabanPilipinas”, “Kai Sotto”, “Carl Tamayo”, and “SoKor.”
Over on social media, even PBA players, including former Gilas members themselves, couldn’t help but react to Gilas’ resounding victory, its first over its Asian rivals since the 2013 miracle at the FIBA Asia Championship in Manila.
Laban Pilipinas! Gilas Pilipinas with a come from behind win over South Korea, 81-78! 💯🇵🇭💪🏼
See Gilas Pilipinas back in action against Indonesia on June 18 at 6PM, LIVE on TV5, One Sports+ and https://t.co/KphbaEfq1Q. #LabanPilipinas #ParaSaBayan #GilasPilipinas pic.twitter.com/2CE7JhzuEP
— SBP (@officialSBPinc) June 16, 2021
Some 2019 SEA Games gold medalists kept it short after witnessing Belangel’s buzzer-beater.
Congratulations Gilas Pilipinas! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭#LabanPilipinas
— L.A Tenorio (@LA_Tenorio) June 16, 2021
ISSA WRAP 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
— Kiefer Ravena (@kieferravena) June 16, 2021
Wow!!!!!! @Laban1Pilipinas @SmartGilas
— Joe Devance (@jdv_38) June 16, 2021
😳🇵🇭
— Chris Ross (@cmross6) June 16, 2021
And yes, this is an absolute win for both Gilas and the Ateneo basketball program’s future.
Congrats din pala Ateneo- Pilipinas 🇵🇭🦅 🤣😝#OBF #LabanPilipinas
— L.A Tenorio (@LA_Tenorio) June 16, 2021
May SJ, Dwight, Kouame pa pala kami. https://t.co/4RmQPMqHrX
— Kiefer Ravena (@kieferravena) June 16, 2021
Former wing men Gabe Norwood and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser called the match-up an instant classic while also unable to hide their emotions throughout the game.
Gilas Boys hoopin! 🇵🇭🙌🏾🙌🏾
— Matt Ganuelas-Rosser (@Real_Mateo) June 16, 2021
Let’s GO!!!!!
— Matt Ganuelas-Rosser (@Real_Mateo) June 16, 2021
Instant Classic #Puso
— Matt Ganuelas-Rosser (@Real_Mateo) June 16, 2021
Way to fight fellas! 🇵🇭 #Gilas
— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) June 16, 2021
😵
— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) June 16, 2021
Let’s go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #gilas
— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) June 16, 2021
#PUSO 🇵🇭
— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) June 16, 2021
Classic! 🇵🇭
— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) June 16, 2021
Coach Tab and the staff made the most of their time and preparation! Proud of the young fellas putting it to work on the court! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭 @FIBAAsiaCup #LabanPilipinas #puso
— Gabe Norwood (@GNorwood5) June 16, 2021
Barangay Ginebra’s Jared Dillinger also got excited after the result of the contest.
Ball game!!!!!!!!! 🇵🇭
— Jared Dillinger (@JDaredevil2) June 16, 2021
@sjbelangel big balls! Way to play tonight
— Jared Dillinger (@JDaredevil2) June 16, 2021
Hats off to Korea though, we had to bank in 3 to win the game. Exciting times ahead for both programs. The rivalry is in good hands with these kids 🇵🇭🇰🇷
— Jared Dillinger (@JDaredevil2) June 16, 2021
Even former national team head coach Chot Reyes got nervous when Korea tied the game with a triple late, 78-all.
https://twitter.com/coachot/status/1405128538374606849?s=20
Luckily, a sigh of relief afterwards for the multi-awarded veteran tactician at TNT KaTropa.
https://twitter.com/coachot/status/1405129078303121409?s=20
The only thing missing, obviously, were Filipino fans. We feel your sentiments regarding our hometown crowd, coach Tim.
Congrats again, Gilas. Just Wow! Only thing missing was the fans! Imagine a full house in Araneta or in the Philippine Arena. That would have been something to behold!!
— Tim Cone (@manilacone) June 16, 2021
Sidelined Gilas cadet Juan Gomez de Liano himself offered an assessment of his teammate.
Let’s go Gilas! @dram0s_ is NBA ready 😤
— Juan Gómez de Liaño (@juan_swish9) June 16, 2021
Here are the rest of social media reactions from prominent tweeps:
Congrats Gilas Pilipinas! The future is so bright! (For Ateneo and UP too lol) 🇵🇭💪🏽🏀🔥
— Diego Dario (@Diego5Dario) June 16, 2021
So many takeaways from this game. Kai is stronger now. Ange is building his offense. Carl is poised to be a power Power forward. Dwight is a star. RJ is good but needs patience. SJ is clutch. Tab is a winner. Gilas played terrific D and was calm and composed. Proudly pinoy! 🇵🇭
— Noli Eala (@NoliEala) June 16, 2021
GILAS WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) June 16, 2021
The future is here! Gilas Young Guns upset South Korea 81-78 in FIBA Asia Cup 3rd qualifying window in Clark just moments ago! Suddenly, the bashers are quiet! Proud of Gilas, great job SBP, coach Tab! Filipino fans, this was for you!
— Quinito Henson (@TheDeanQuinito) June 16, 2021
Crazy to think RJ Abarrientos hasn’t even played in the collegiate level but he’s already out there making plays and showing leadership with this Gilas group. He’s definitely a special player. 🇵🇭
— Jutt Sulit (@juttsulit) June 16, 2021
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