Aminado si Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin na hindi niya nagustuhan ang paglalarawan ni South Korean coach Cho Sanghyun sa buzzer-beating three ni SJ Belangel bilang “lucky shot.”
Sa virtual press conference kasunod ng pagkapanalo sa Indonesia noong Biyernes, sinabi ni Baldwin na ang komentong iyon ni Cho ay magbibigay ng sapat na motibasyon para talunin muli ng Gilas ang South Korea sa muli nilang pagtutuos sa FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers mamayang hapon.
“We already read that the Korean coach felt that we were lucky to win the game, and frankly I think that’s pretty rich that a coach would walk off a game in which they lose the game and claim that it was good luck on the part of your opponent,” saad ni Baldwin.
“We will make sure that is highlighted, and I’m sure that would give our players an extra incentive. I don’t think we’re expecting to go out there making friends on Sunday,” dagdag niya.
Matatandaang tinalo ng Gilas ang South Korea, 81-78, noong Miyerkules, kung saan naging susi ang pinakawalang three-point shot ni Belangel sa huling dalawang Segundo ng laro.
Ito ang kauna-unahang beses na natalo ng Plipinas ang South Korea sa loob ng walong taon.
