POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Oshin Sahakian
Group G
Iran - Japan 82-59
Iran fired past Japan to open win count in Group G. Oshin Sahakian (200-PF-86) nailed 17 points for Iran as they played without Nikkhah. Iran built a 45:37 halftime lead. They extended the gap at 15-point mark at the final intermission and cruised to the victory in the fourth frame. Kamrani Mahdi (186-PG-82) netted 14 points for Iran. Kosuke Kanamaru (193-F/G-89) responded with 14 points for Japan. Makoto Hiejima (190-G-90) had 12 points in the loss.
China - Mongolia 108-67
China celebrated the first victory in Group G of the Asian Games. They bruised Mongolia behind 21 points from Zhao TaiLong (193-G/F-90). Gu QuAn (202-F-92) added 20 points, while Ding Yanyuhang (200-F-93) contributd 19 points for China. Sanchir Tungalag (190-G-89) responded with 15 points for Mongolia. China unleashed 32 points in the first frame to take a 14-point lead. They extended the margin at 15-point mark at the interval and cruised to the victory at the end.
Group H
Philippines - Qatar 68-77
Qatar upset Philippines to secure the first victory in Group H. Mohammed Yousef (204-C-82) nailed 19 points and pulled down 8 rebounds to pace the Qatari team. Phillipines eked out a 39:36 halftime lead. But Qatar responded with 20:11 rally in the third term to pull ahead. Qatar followed with a 21:17 run in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. Boney Watson (183-PG-78, college: Sam Houston St.) finished with 15 points for the winners. Jimmy Alapag (180-PG-77, college: CS San Bernar.) responded with 15 points, while Marcus Douthit (210-C/F-80, college: Providence) had 10 points in the defeat.
Kazakhstan - South Korea 60-77
South Korea cruised past Kazakhstan in Group H action. Oh Sek-Eun (200-C-87) stepped up with 16 points to lead well-balanced effort from the Korean team. South Korea accounted for a 42:26 halftime lead. South Korea kept Kazakhstan at bay throughout the second half and raced to the victory. Kim Tae-Sool (180-PG-84) had 12 points in the win. Dmitriy Gavrilov (203-F-86) registered 19 points and 8 rebounds for Kazakhstan.
