GILAS Pilipinas struggled and absorbed a 72-83 loss to South Korea in the 39th Jones Cup at the Taipei Heping Gymnasium.
Ung Heo scored eight of his 11 points in a crucial third-quarter stretch to lead the Koreans to their fourth win in five outings.
Se Keun Oh and Lee Jung Hyun led with 14 for the Koreans, who moved to a share of the lead with their 4-1 win-loss record.
Atletas All-Star Lithuania won over India, 102-79, to also move up in the leaderboard with Canada.
Gilas, which is now in fourth with their 2-2 slate, was initially behind by 11 points, 18-29, in the second quarter.
They made a run behind Christian Standhardinger and Kiefer Ravena, who led the team back behind a late windup.
Their efforts allowed Gilas to stay close, 37-42, at the half.
Then, the Koreans’ zone defense kicked in by the time the third period was under way.
And the Filipinos fell behind by 15, 51-66, when it ended.
Hopes of coming up with another rally were dashed by back-to-back baskets by Korean big man Oh Sekeun, 77-69.
