Nailbiting Asian Games win for Thai basketballers after 20-year absence

Chitchai Ananti

The Thailand's men's basketball team had a nailbiting return to the Asian Games on Tuesday, edging past Mongolia 87-86 in a group A preliminary match at the GBK Kasketball Hall in Jakarta. It was a first Asian Games appearance for the men's team in 20 years after they had failed to meet the criteria of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). The SAT previously sent only athletes or teams that had attained a top-three finish in the SEA Games or a top-five finish at continental level. This year, however, such requirements were dropped in line with a new sports development policy. Thailand made a great start and led 26-14 in the first quarter but struggled after two key players, Nakorn Jaisanook and Chitchai Ananti (194-G/F-90), went off with injuries. Mongolia closed to within six points, 62 - 68, in the third quarter but fell agonisingly short. Thailand's next game is against Indonesia on August 20. In the women's handball, 2014 silver medallists Japan tamed Thailand 41-16 in a Group B preliminary round encounter. Thailand will next play Indonesia on Thursday.
Courtesy of: nationmultimedia.com