JAKARTA - The Philippines' quest for a men's basketball medal in the 2018 Asian Games was torn apart by relentless hammering inside from Ricardo Ratliffe and a hail of three-pointers in a 91-82 Korea victory on Monday morning.
The Philippines led by as many as eight points and entered the final quarter still ahead, 65-64, but came undone as Ratliffe time and again scored inside while Korea's dreaded shooters made the Filipinos pay each time they double-teamed.
The late Korean flurry ended at the quarterfinal stage the ambitious medal quest of this Philippine team, which was formed barely two weeks before the Asiad but got a major morale boost when NBA player Jordan Clarkson came on board.
"I take responsibility for this loss," were the first words that came out of the mouth of coach Yeng Guiao after the loss - the team's second in three games here.
But more than the 82-80 loss to China in the prelims, this one hurt all the more as it ended the Philippines' quest for a first Asiad basketball gold since 1962.
The loss also prolonged the Philippine agony over the so-called 'Korean curse.'
For three quarters at least, this PH team raised hope that the curse was at an end as Clarkson, after going 2-for-12 from the floor in the first half, hit his rhythm in the third period to stake the Filipinos to a 50-42 lead.
The Filipinos still led, 68-67, early in the final quarter until Heo Ilyung, Jeon Junbeom, Kim Sunhyung rained threes on the PH defense while Ratliffe and his fellow big men dominated the boards to break the game open, 83-72.
Ratliffe finished with 30 points and 14 rebounds while the three Korean hotshots combined for nine three-pointers. The former PBA import also helped Korea dominate the board, 45-40, thanks to 18 offensive rebounds.
Kim finished with 17 points and 10 assists while going 2-of-6 from three-point land. Heo added 17points (4/9 from threes) and Jeo nine points - all on threes - as the unbeaten Koreans advanced into the semifinals, likely against Iran.
Clarkson finished with 25 points and eight rebounds but went just 10-of-25 from the field for the Philippines, which now slides down to the classification phase where the highest finish it can achieve is fifth place.
Fil-German Christian Standhardinger added 16 points and nine boards.
The scores:
Korea 91 – Ratliffe 30, Kim Sunhyung 17, Heo Ilyoung 17, Lee Seounghyun 11, Jeo Junbeom 9, Heo Ung 6, Lee Junghyun 1, Park Chanhee 0, Choi Junyong 0.
Philippines 82 – Clarkson 25, Standhardinger 16, Pringle 14, Lee 11, Norwood 5, Almazan 5, Tiu 3, Belga 3, Erram 0, Taulava 0.
Quarters: 22-18; 42-44; 64-65; 91-82.
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