ASWEEP against arch rival South Korea and a perfect record posted by Gilas Pilipinas in wrapping up an impressive performance in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

On Sunday, the Filipinos capped their campaign on a winning note, outlasting the Koreans, 82-77, at the Angeles University Foundation Arena in San Fernando, Pampanga and bringing with them a promising future ahead of the World Cup qualifying event to be held in Indonesia in August.

The Philippines got another solid game from Dwight Ramos, now the team’s emerging star, as he finished with 19 points on a steady 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc to lead Gilas Pilipinas in beating South Korea twice in this tournament.

Gilas Pilipinas, which trailed by as many as 17 points in its first meeting with South Korea in their first encounter last Wednesday, had another slow start. The Filipinos fell behind, 9-0, but came back with eight unanswered points to set up another tight match.

And with its outside shooting clicking, the Filipinos were able to take a 38-34 lead at the half.

The Philippines shot a steady 6-of-15 shooting in the first half and was able to get South Korea’s most efficient player, Ricardo Ratliffe, now known as Ra Gunah, out of the game for extended minutes after picking up two quick fouls in the early part of the second period.

Prior to being replaced, Ra made all of his six attempts from the field.

By the third period, the Philippines started to dictate the tempo of the game, leading by as many as nine, on a layup by William Navarro, but South Korea was able to wipe out that lead quickly capped by Hyungjung Lee’s three free throws after he got clipped in the arm by Navarro and shoved the Koreans within striking distance, 43-42, setting up another exciting wind up.

But the Filipinos’ tenacity, particularly in the offensive rebounds, kept the team on track. Gilas Pilipinas grabbed 20 offensive rebounds, six more than its counterpart, while giving the squad 40 points inside the shaded lane.

Down the stretch, it was Ramos who made things happen again for the Philippines.

He dove for the loose ball on what appeared to be a near turnover, then found Justine Baltazar for an unmolested dunk, giving Gilas Pilipinas an 81-77 lead with 33 seconds to go.