Iran, Lebanon, Japan and South Korea advance into semifinal stage

Mohammad Jafari

China - Iran 59-62
Iran outscored China to reach the semifinal stage. Mohammad Jafari (190-G-98) provided 21 points to lead the winners. Iran accumulated a 33:30 halftime lead. Iran limited China to just 8 points in the third term to take a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter. China went on a desperate comeback rally in the final stanza but came up short of victory at the end. Mostafa Rezaei (197-F-98) had 11 points in the win. Man Jiang (99) responded with 21 points and 7 rebounds for China.

Lebanon - India 98-67
Lebanon cruised past India to seal their semifinal appearance. Five players scored in double digits for the winners. Mark Alkhoury (98) provided 18 points and 10 rebounds for Lebanon. They used a 26:9 run in the second term to establish a 19-point halftime lead. Lebanon fired 49 points in the second half to seal the win. Naji Ozeir (98) provided 17 points and 10 caroms in the victory. Gineeb Benny (98) responded with 19 points for India.

Taiwan - Japan 71-77
Japan rallied past Taiwan to stay in the title hunt in Tehran. Yudai Nishida (188-F-99) provided 24 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Taiwan jumped to a 20:17 lead after ten minutes. Japan however turned things around in the second term. They surged ahead for a 41:36 halftime lead. Japan stretched the lead at 7-point mark at the final intermission. Taiwan could not avoid the defeat in the fourth term. Tensho Sugimoto had 18 points for the winners. Chou Kuei-Yu (98) and Kao Kuo-Hao (178-PG-98) responded with 17 points each for Taiwan.

South Korea - Philippines 93-85
South Korea knocked down Philippines to advance into the semifinal stage. Han Seunghui (197-C-98) posted 24 points and 7 rebounds to lead the winners. Philippines unloaded 31 points in the first period to take a 3-point lead. South Korea denied the deficit in the second frame. They tied things up at 47 heading into the second half. The teams traded baskets throughout the third term. However South Korea unloaded 26 points in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Ha Yungi (99) had 20 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Jose Lorenzo Mendoza (175-PG-98) responded with 19 points for Philippines.