POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Tae-Jong Moon
Group G
Japan - China 79-72
Japan prevailed against China to gain the first victory in Group G. Makoto Hiejima (190-G-90) nailed 23 points to pace Japan as they caught up with China in the standings. China secured a 42:33 halftime lead. But Japan used a 25:11 run in the fourth frame to seal the victory. Joji Takeuchi (207-F/C-85, agency: N.E.T.) had 15 points and 10 rebounds in the victory. Ding Yanyuhang (200-F-93) and Zhou Peng (210-F-89) answered with 14 points each for China.
Mongolia - Iran 69-107
Iran claimed the second straight victory in Group G. They outgunned Mongolia to stay undefeated at the tournament. Mohammad Jamshidi (199-SF-91) stepped up with 20 points to lead the winners. Iran grabbed a 52:37 halftime lead. They unloaded 37 points in the third term to stretch the margin at 36-point mark and never looked back afterwards. Asghar Kardoust (212-C-86) scored 19 points in the victory. Uuganbayar Oyuntsetseg (183-G-88) and Munkhbold Bataa (191-F-86) nailed 13 points each for Mongolia.
Group H
Qatar - Kazakhstan 57-65
Kazakhstan stayed in the race for the semifinal ticket as they upset previously unbeaten Qatar. Dmitriy Gavrilov (203-F-86) had 22 points and 9 rebounds to pace the Kazakh team. Qatar piled up a 28:23 halftime lead. But Kazakhstan responded with a 25:14 rally in the third quarter to spur ahead. They maintained the advantage throughout the fourth frame and sealed a vital victory at the end. Anatoly Kolesnikov (200-G/F-88, agency: Priority Sports, college: Nicholls St.) had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Daoud Mousa (193-G-82) had 16 points for Qatar.
South Korea - Philippines 97-95
South Korea held off Philippines for the second victory in Group H. Moon Tae-Jong (199-F-75, agency: Alti Sport, college: Richmond) was unstoppable with 38 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Philippines looked solid in the first half. They fired 51 points to gain a 7-point lead. But South Korea cut the distance to just one point at the final intermission. South Korea sank 26 points in the fourth frame and sealed the winning outcome. Cho Sung-Min (197-F-83) tossed in 17 points for the winners. Jimmy Alapag (180-PG-77, college: CS San Bernar.) responded with 25 points for Philippines. Lewis Tenorio (177-PG-84) had 20 points in the defeat.
