Dwight Ramos and Gilas Pilipinas are bent on erasing any doubts on their stunning win over Korea as they shoot for a repeat victory at 3 pm on Sunday, June 20 to close out the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

The all-cadet crew managed to accomplish what other Filipino teams failed to do in the past eight years after pulling off an 81-78 escape over Korea on Wednesday, June 16 behind an SJ Belangel game-winner.

As their rematch looms, the question now is whether the Philippines can beat Korea for the second straight time.

“I know they’re going to come out strong and show that our win is just a fluke,” said Ramos.

“So we just have to prove to them and come out strong, that we’re not something that could be taken lightly.”

Coming out with guns blazing will be key for the young Filipino squad.

While Gilas Pilipinas came back from a 17-point deficit against Korea and shook off a cold-shooting first half in its 25-point win against Indonesia, another flat start may not be ideal this time around.

Not after Korea won its last two games by a combined winning margin of 90 points as it drubbed Indonesia by 23 points and annihilated Thailand by 67 points.

“We’re young but we got that heart, that puso. I think that is what we have to show to them, to play at our hardest,” Ramos said.

“That game is going to be a battle.” – Rappler.com