POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Tsung-Hsien Chang
Group A
South Korea - Japan 74:55
South Korea clinched the opening win at the East Asian Championship in Incheon. The hosts overcame powerful Japan in front of a supportive crowd at the Samsan World Gymnasium. Park Chan-Hee (190-G-87) posted 14 points, 6 rebound and 5 assists to lead the charge.
The hosts jumped to an early advantage. South Korea easily overcame Japan zone defence to take a 24:15 lead after the starting quarter. South Korea limited Japan to just 4 points in the second period to accumulate a 40:19 halftime advantage. The Korean team maintained the lead throughout the third quarter. They made it a 61:34 advantage heading into the final period. Japan finally found the rhythm in the fourth period firing 21 points but it was too late to avoid the loss. Kim Min-Goo netted 13 points, while Park Jae-Hyun (187-G-91) and Kim Jong-Kyu (207-C-91) added 10 points apiece in the victory. Ryota Sakurai (194-G-83) answered with 12 points for Japan. Kosuke Takeuchi (206-C/F-85) netted 9 points and grabbed 13 boards in the losing case.
South Korea: Park Chan-Hee 14, Kim Min-Goo 13, Park Jae-Hyun 10, Kim Jong-Kyu 10
Japan: Ryota Sakurai 12, Kosuke Takeuchi 9+13 boards
Taiwan - Macau 108:32
Taiwan victoriously opened their East Asian Championship campaign. They fired past Macau for 1-0 record in Group A. Tsung-Hsien Chang (192-G-87) (192-G-87) came up with 28 points to pace the winners.
Taiwan reeled off to a 28:9 lead after the starting period. They boosted the gap by 20 points in the second frame to secure a massive 52:13 halftime advantage. Taiwan remained in charge after the big break. They dropped 56 points in the second half to cruise to the victory at the end. Lin Chin-Pang connected for 17 points for Taiwan. Lin Kuan-Lun (187-PG-84) (187-PG-84) and Lin Yi-Hui (193-F-86) (193-F-86) contributed 10 points each for the winners. Wu Ka Seng and Chi San Wong (175-PG-89) (175-PG-89) delivered 7 points apiece in the losing effort.
Taiwan: Tsung-Hsien Chang 28, Lin Chin-Pang 17, Lin Kuan-Lun 10, Lin Yi-Hui 10
Macau: Wu Ka Seng 7, Chi San Wong 7
Group B
China - Hong Kong 84:59
China recorded the first win at the East Asian Championship that started tonight in Incheon, South Korea. They outgunned Hong Kong in Group B. Wang Zhelin (215-PF-94) delivered 17 points and 7 rebounds for the winners.
China started the game with a stifling defence. They held Hong Kong to only 9 points in the first period and secured a 6-point advantage. Hong Kong however came back to life in the second frame. They dropped 25 points in the quarter to pull in front 34:31. China regained control after the big break. They notched 26 points in the third term to rally to a 57:49 lead at the final intermission. China finished off their opponents with a 27:10 spurt in the fourth stanza. Guo Ailun (192-SF-93) netted 14 points, while Zhao TaiLong (193-G/F-90) added 12 points for the winners. Lo Yi Ting (177-PG-87) responded with 19 points for Hong Kong. Liang Man Hung (173-G-86) chipped in 16 points in the loss.
China: Wang Zhelin 17, Guo Ailun 14, Zhao TaiLong 12
Hong Kong: Lo Yi Ting 19, Liang Man Hung 16
