MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Host Philippines now have the chance to win its sixth Asian champion title as they defeated South Korea 86-79 here yesterday in the semifinals.
The last time for Philippines to win the Asian Men's Basketball Championship title was in 1985 and they never made into the final from then on.
Philippines captain Jimmy Alapag hit a huge three late in the final period as the host finally got by their foes to secure a berth in the World Cup in Spain next year.
Alapag buried a triple with 54 seconds left to give the Philippines an 84-79 lead and the chance to challenge the unbeaten Iran in Sunday's final.
Philippines played most of the match without their naturalized player Marcus Douthit, who only played for 13 minutes and seemed to have aggravated his right calf injury midway through the second quarter. He asked to subbed out and didn't return after scoring only two points.
But Jayson Williams stood up for the host. He obliterated South Korea's defense with his unmatched quickness and scored on three straight drives as Philippines got a 40-30 lead early in the second half since taking a 13-10 run.
South Koreans began hitting shots and grabbed the lead 74-73 with four minutes. Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo allowed the host to take a one-point lead, going into the final two minutes.
Successive triples from De Ocampo and Alapag eventually allowed Philippines to take the 86-79 win.
"Our game plan was to force their big men to beat us. We didn't want their shooters to beat us," said Chot Reyes, head coach of Philippines.
Williams led the host with 17 point. Alapag and De Ocampo combined for 25 points and nine boards. Marc Pingris added 16.
Kim Min-Goo led South Korea with a match-high 27 points but still couldn't stop the team falling to a battle for bronze and the last berth to Spain against Chinese Taipei.