By Ismael Amigo
MANILA — A second chance comes quickly for Gilas Pilipinas.
After being thoroughly outplayed by South Korea in an 81-55 setback, the Philippine national team returns to the court Sunday with a chance to show how it responds to adversity in the Hana Bank Invitational 2026 in Suwon.
The rematch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Philippine time on September 6, giving Gilas little time to regroup but plenty of motivation to deliver a better performance.
South Korea established control early in the first meeting, leading 24-18 after the opening period and stretching the margin to 12 points, 45-33, by halftime. The Koreans then tightened their grip in the second half, while Gilas managed only 22 points after the break.
Lee Jung-hyun proved particularly difficult to contain, scoring 27 points and knocking down seven three-pointers. He also contributed five assists to South Korea’s balanced attack.
Baltazar was the bright spot for the Philippines, producing 15 points and 10 rebounds while making three steals. Still, Gilas could not find enough answers to Korea’s perimeter shooting and offensive execution.
That makes defense one of the biggest areas to address in the rematch. Gilas will need to close out better on shooters, communicate more effectively and prevent Korea from establishing the same rhythm it enjoyed in the opener.
At the other end, the Philippines must find ways to generate cleaner shots and sustain its offensive movement. A stronger start could also help prevent South Korea from building another early cushion.
The outcome matters, but the bigger objective remains the 2026 Asian Games. These games give the Asiad-bound squad an important opportunity to develop chemistry, test its system and identify areas that need work before the bigger competition.
Sunday’s rematch, therefore, is more than a chance for redemption. It is another measuring stick for Gilas—and an opportunity to turn a disappointing first game into a valuable lesson moving forward.
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