Asia-Basket.com All-FIBA Asia Cup 2009
Awards -
Aug 18, 2009
All-FIBA Asia Cup 1st Team 2009
Ehadadi
Wright
Yi
Nikkhah
El Khatib
Best Player:Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85) of Iran Best Guard:Rasheim Wright (194-G-81) of Jordan Best Forward:Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) of China * played mostly at power forward
position, but sometimes joined
Wang Zhizhi (214-C-79) at duo-center spot Best Center:Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85) of Iran Best Coach:Veselin Matic of Iran
3rd Team
G: Afagh Hamed of Iran
SG:
Alexandr Tyutyunik (198-G-90) of Kazakhstan
SF:
Saad Abdulrahman Ali (193-F-85) of Qatar
PF:
Tien Lei (202-F-83) of Taiwan
C:
Wang Zhizhi (214-C-79) of China
IRAN RETAIN TITLE IN STYLE - Aug.
16, 2009 TIANJIN
(FIBA Asia Championship) - When Iran won the title in the 2007 FIBA Asia
Championship at Tokushima, one question remained unanswered: Could Iran have won
if China had played with their full team?
The answer to that question came two years later in the form of Irans thumping
70-52 win in the gold-medal game of the 25th FIBA Asia Championship. Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85, agency:
Agency No 10), who had scored 31 points in Irans final triumph two years ago, was once
again the leading scorer for his side with 19 points.
Theres a huge difference between then and now, said EHadadi.
Playing against Chinas first team in China is pressure enough. But we were
determined to carry out what our coach told us, he added.
EHadadi also collected 17 rebounds 10 of them in defence.
Samad Nikkah played only 22:27 of the game, but had a telling effect with his
eight points and a game-high six assists before that.
This gold medal is more satisfying for a lot of reasons, Samad said.
Winning is one thing, but retaining the gold is a lot more difficult, he added.
Never had any team dominated a gold medal game against China in the FIBA Asia
Championship the way Veselin Matics team did on Sunday night in front a capacity
crowd which began to dissipate as the fourth quarter began.
The whole idea of a final game to seize the initiative early, said Matic.
Im happy things fell in place early for us. And we didnt lose focus after that,
he added.
As a matter of fact, this was the first time China lost a gold medal game in
FIBA Asia Championship history.
Iran raced into an early lead and consolidated their position as the game
progressed; their mainstays fired in all cylinders; their bench did more than
what was expected; the offensive plays moved with panache; and most importantly
the defence played wonderfully tight on the Chinese superstars Wang Zhizhi and
Yi Jianlian.
Basketball is a game of brains, quipped an expert during the first half
interval, when Iran led 42-25.
For sure it was the brains of Matic that weaved a magical spell of defence to
keep both Wang and Yi on a leash.
Yi was the only player with double-digit scores at that point, but had failed
with seven of his 12 field attempts. And Wang was allowed only six looks at the
goal.
Iran on the other hand, played with composure and determination and built their
leads in spurts.
A classic example for Iranian determination came in the opening moments of the
fourth quarter when the 180-cm Iranian point guard Mahdi Kamrani challenged the
212-cm Yi for a rebound and succeeded in tapping the ball out.
We were playing the game of our lives, Kamrani said.
Wang topped the scoring for China with 24 points, but played with wonted form
only in the third quarter when he scored 11 of them.
The third was the only period when Iran allowed China to keep the scoring level.
Yi added only one more point to his first halfs 10, in a woeful 29% field record
(5/17 attempts).
Where China lacked was in support from the bench, when their mainstays
struggled.
The highest scorer for China after Wang and Yi was Liu Wei with six points.
On the other hand, Oshin Sahakian scored 10, Javad Davari nine and Hamed Afagh
eight.
Truly, the Iranian teamwork had outsmarted the power of the hosts.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
China Loses to Iran 70-52 - Aug.
16, 2009 China played
abominably today as it lost the Asian Championship to Iran 70-52. China fell
behind 21-10 in the first quarter and was completely incapable of climbing out
of this hole. It trailed 41-25 at the half and 55-39 after three quarters. This
was a terrible loss for a team playing at home. China finished second in the
tournament.
Only Wang Zhizhi had an acceptable game. Wang had 24 points on 10 of 16 shooting
and grabbed 8 rebounds. Yi Jianlian shot 5 for 17 and made 1 of 4 free throws to
score 11 points. He did grab 11 rebounds and blocked 1 shot.
Sun Yue was scoreless in 23 minutes, missing both shots he attempted. He had 1
rebound and 1 steal. This was against Iran, not the Boston Celtics. On the other
hand,
Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85, agency:
Agency No 10), Iran's NBA player, had 19 points on 9 of 17 shooting along with 17
rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. Iran outrebounded China 44-28.
Zhu Fangyu had 2 points for China and Wang Shipeng was scoreless. They missed
all 6 shots they attempted. Liu Wei had 6 points but shot 3 for 9. Hu Xuefeng
had 2 points, hitting 1 of 3 shots. Du Feng had 5 points in 10 minutes, backing
up at power forward. He played instead of Li Xiaoxu because China needed offense
today from its big men as its perimeter players were completely inept. China got
exactly 12 points from its perimeter players. It hit a woeful 2 of 18
three-point attempts. Why is China failing so badly in this area when a title is
on the line?
For Iran Oshin Sahakian had 10 points and 5 rebounds. Javad Davari had 9 points,
6 rebounds and 3 assists. Mohammadsamad Nikkah had 8 points, 4 rebounds and 6
assists. Hamad Affagh had 8 points and 2 rebounds. Mahdi Kamrani had 7 points, 4
rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.
Yao Ming would not have helped much today as China's failure was on the
perimeter. It must improve its style of play. Certainly China, with 1.4 billion
citizens to choose from, can find some who can be perimeter scorers. China is
doing something wrong with the way it is training its players to be doing so
poorly from the perimeter.
Jordan defeated Lebanon 80=66 to take third in the touney and also gain a trip
to the FIBA World Championship in Turkey. Chinese Taipei defeated Qatar 87-79 to
finish fifth. Korea defeated the Philippines 82-80 to finish seventh.
IDAIS, WRIGHT TAKE JORDAN TO TURKEY - Aug.
16, 2009 TIANJIN
(FIBA Asia Championship) - Ayman Idais and RRasheim Wright (194-G-81, college:
District of Col.) scythed through the rival defence during each others slump in form to
help Jordan to an 80-66 win over fellow West Asian nation Lebanon in the bronze
medal play-off on Sunday.
The win helped the Mario Palma trained Jordan to book their entry into the 2010
FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
Lebanon finished without a medal for the first time in three championships,
having bagged with the silver in both 2005 and 2007 FIBA Asia Championships.
Jordan had never beaten Lebanon coming into this Championship having lost all
their three previous encounters but in Tianjin, Jordan opened their campaign
with an 84-67 win over Lebanon and finished it beating the same rivals.
Wright shrugged off a second quarter strife to find rhythm and led the scoring
for the game with 28 points, in a 55% field record (9/14), including a 2/6 in
three-pointers.
Wright also had five rebounds four in defence and five assists.
Idais stepped up when Wright struggled and returned a 20-point haul.
Idais converted only one of his three two-pointer attempts, but shot down an
incredible 6/8 in the long rangers.
Fortunes in the early part of the game resembled the Tianjin Eye with the teams
gaining absolute control of the proceedings, when their offensive plays worked
only to start going down, allowing the rivals to come up similar scoring sprees.
Wright contributed five as Jordan scored the first 10 points of the game, but
Lebanon hit back with a 19-0 run to close the first quarter 19-10 ahead.
Fadi El Khatib who opened the scoring for Lebanon converting his twin
free-throws went on to add four more and Jackson Vroman combined to a nicety in
the paint for Lebanon to take this lead, which only piqued Jordan to fight back
yet again.
Idais sank two silken three-pointers and Sam Daghles added another as Jordan
blitzed the latter part of the second quarter with a 13-1 run to head into the
locker rooms with a 36-28 lead.
Idais who drew a blank in the 3:46 he played in the first quarter, had 15 points
in the second quarter, all of them coming in three-pointers out of a six
attempts.
Wright added only two points, but effected four assists in the second quarter.
But the former Tulsa 66ers guard, exploded with customary fluency in the third
quarter accounting for 13 points, in a 5/7 field record including finding the
mark in his only three-pointer attempt during this time.
That surge kept Jordan in good stead till the final buzzer.
Vroman ploughed a rather lonely, and therefore, losing furrow for Lebanon with
18 points.
Fadi El Khatib shot a woeful 3/10 in field attempts for his 13 points and Rony
Fahed had as many points.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
Iran beats China 70-52, defends Gold in Asia! - Aug. 16, 2009
FINAL
Iran - China
70-52
Iran did it again! After Gold in Japan two years ago, Iran managed to grab it
for the second consecutive time outplaying the host of AsiaBasket 2009 in the
Big Final 70-52. Of course, Silver is reserved for China and very important
thing is that both teams qualified for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in
Turkey.
Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85, agency:
Agency No 10) was a key player for Iran today collecting 19 points and 17 rebounds.
Oshin Sahakian (202-F-86, agency:
Agency No 10) had 10 points and 5 boards, while
Javad Davari (186-G-83) added 9 pts.
Wang Zhizhi (214-C-79) responded with 24 points and 8 rebounds in defeat.
Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) followed with double-double, 11 pts and 11 rebs.
Places 3-4
Jordan - Lebanon
80-66
Jordan was too strong for Lebanon in the battle for Bronze on AsiaBasket 2009 in
China. This victory was very important for Jordan, who except of winning the
bronze medal also booked a spot for 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
Lebanon stays with the medal and also failed to qualify for Turkey.
Rasheim Wright (194-G-81, college:
District of Col.) shined for the winners collecting 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Ayman Idais (208-C-78, agency:
Court Side)
also demonstrated nice performance - 20 points (6 triples), while
Osama Daghles (199-G-79, college:
Midwestern St.) added 11 points and 5 boards. In Team Lebanon,
Jackson Vroman (208-C/F-81, college:
Iowa St.)
had 18 points and 8 boards.
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency:
Pro Management Agency) and
Rony Fahed (182-G-81, agency:
Pro Management Agency) netted 13 pts each.
Places 5-6
Qatar - Taiwan
79-87
Fifth place on AsiaBasket 2009 belongs to Taiwan. In the last day of this
contest Taiwan was too strong for Qatar 87-79. Both teams stays without the
medal and they also didn't succeed to qualify for 2010 FIBA World championship
in Turkey.
Yang Chin-Min (188-G-84) top-scored in victory with 19 points.
Tien Lei (202-F-83) had 17, while
Lee Hsueh-Lin (175-G-84) and
Tsung-Hsien Chang (190-F-88) added 15 pts each.
Mustafa ElSayad (206-F/C-82, college:
Fresno St.)
shined in defeat with 19 points.
Erfan Ali Saeed (200-F-83) stopped in 4 less.
Places 7-8
Philippines - South Korea
80-82
South Korea escaped with 82-80 win against Philippines ending the AsiaBasket
2009 on position No.7. Naturally, one lower place belongs to Philippines.
Oh Se-Keun (201-C-87) was on fire today draining 31 points for the winners. He
also pulled down 10 rebounds beside that.
Kim Joo-Sung (205-C-79) was second scorer with 15 and
Kang Byung-Hyun (192-G-85) helped with 10 pts. In the loosing squad,
Cyrus Baguio (188-G-80) netted 17 pts.
Joachim Thoss (203-C-81) had 15 and
Kerby Raymundo (199-C-81) delivered one point less.
DAY 8 ROUND-UP: IT'S CHAMPS IRAN V/S HOSTS CHINA FOR
TITLE - Aug. 15, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Hosts China will
attempt to dethrone champions Iran and regain their hold on the FIBA Asia
Championship gold medal when the two meet in the title round of the 25th edition
of the Championship on Sunday.
China and Iran carry similar 8-0 runs in the Championship and it is only logical
the two unbeaten should play the gold medal game.
On Saturday, China scraped through pipping last editions silver medalists
Lebanon at the post 72-68 after Iran had sorted out their problems rather
skillfully to beat Jordan 77-75.
Both China and Iran thus qualified for the 2010 FIBA World Championship to be
played in Turkey.
Lebanon will take on Jordan on Sunday to decide the third team to Turkey from
FIBA Asia along with the bronze medal.
China 72 bt Lebanon 68
Hu Xuefeng converted all the three free-throws, drawing a foul on Rony Fahed to
give China a marginal 70-68 lead with 0:42 seconds left on the clock.
Brian Feghalis three-pointer attempt bounced off the rim and when Fadi El Khatib
fouled Yi Jianlian to save time, the latter converted twice from the foul-line
to take China to safety.
China went into the lead for the first time in the game only at the stroke of
the second quarter buzzer when Liu Wei scored in the paint.
Yi Jianlian had just earlier leveled the scores with his trademark dunk.
Incidentally, that was only the third time China had leveled the scores in the
entire first half.
And when the second half began, Wang Shipeng who had drawn a blank during his
13:31 presence on the court in the first half reeled in the first nine points
and China were comfortably ahead 44-33.
Lebanon did fight back closing in the gap and went ahead marginally midway
through the fourth quarter and kept pegging on their rivals heels.
And that foul in the dying moments proved their undoing.
Jackson Vroman led the game in scoring with 21 points, in a 56% field record
(9/16), and collected 10 rebounds.
The only other Lebanese to convert at least half his scoring attempts was Ali
Mahmoud who got all of two shots at the goal.
Wang Zhizhi was Chinas leading scorer with 20 points, 12 of them in the second
half. Chinas first NBA export also collected a team-high nine rebounds.
Both the coaches understandably sounded exhausted after the game.
It was a tough game, Chinas Guo Shiqiang echoed Lebanons Dragan Raca.
After all its one step before the final. It ought to be tight, they said.
Iran 77 bt Jordan 75
Defending champions Iran handled the pressure situations with better composure
and eked out their narrow win against a doughty fellow West Asian nation Jordan.
Jordan fought back gallantly to go into a 75-74 lead only the third team they
took a lead and by one point on all occasions on an Enver Soobzokov
three-pointer.
But Pooya Tadjik converted one of the two free-throws and Samad Nikkah drove in
the lane to put Iran back in lead. And with Rasheim Wrights fade away bouncing
off the rim, time and luck ran out on Jordan.
I think we lost the initiative in the first half, said Jordan coach Mario Palma.
After that it was always uphill. Against a team like Iran it doesnt succeed that
easily, he added.
Samad led the scoring for the game with 23 points, but it was Hamed Afagh who
had been Irans saviour before that.
The Saba Mehr guard stepped up on the only two earlier occasions when Jordan
rallied for a minor lead once each in the first and third quarters to revive
Irans scoring rhythm and resultantly their advantage on the scoreboard.
Afagh had an incredible 5/7 record in three pointers for his 18 points.
Hamed EHadadi scored only five points, but stood tall and solid in defence
collecting 12 rebounds most importantly 11 of them in defence.
Rasheim Wright was Jordans highest scorer with 17 points, but scored 11 of them
in the first half.
Zaid Abbbas double-double 11 points and a game-high 17 points went in a losing
cause.
Our aim here is to win the gold medal, said Iran coach Veselin Matic.
Qualifying (to the FIBA World Championship) is important, but its more important
to retain the title, Matic added.
So we will come out even harder tomorrow, the Serbian said.
Taipei take on Qatar for fifth place
Chinese Taipei and Qatar scored contrasting wins in the 5-8 classification to
set up a play off for the fifth place.
Chinese Taipei thwarted a later rally to beat last editions semifinalists Korea
70-65.
But Qatar had it rather easy against Philippines winning their game 83-65.
Saad Ali led the scoring for the game with 23 points starring in Qatars win.
Kerby Raymundo was the highest scorer for Philippines with 12 points.
Korean centre Ha Seung-jins game-high 21 points went in a losing cause.
Tien Lei was the leader of Taipei cause with 18 points.
Kazakhstan claim 9th place
Anton Ponomarevs game-high 22 points helped last editions semfinalists
Kazakhstan rally in the final five minutes and beat Japan 77-73 in the ninth
place play-off.
Japan, who fell out of the quarterfinals for the first time, thus finished their
lowest in the in FIBA Asia Championship history.
Ponomarev had only four points in the first half, but added 10 more in the third
quarter.
Kei Igarashi led the scoring for the Japanese with 20 points.
Kuwait finish 11th
Kuwait defeated fellow GCC nation United Arab Emirates 65-61 to take the 11th
place.
Kuwait had finished 14th place, while UAE had a 16-place finish at the 2007 FIBA
Asia Championship in Tokushima.
Mohammad Ashkananis game-high 20 points led the scoring for Kuwait.
Younis Ibrahim was the highest scorer for UAE with 15 points.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
CHINA PIP LEBANON AT THE POST - Aug. 15, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Hosts China and last
editions silver medalists Lebanon uncorked some scintillating moments before the
former emerged the better in the second semifinal by a wafer-thin 72-68 margin
on Saturday.
China, who thus made the final after finishing 10th in the 2007 FIBA Asia
Championship in Tokushima, joined Iran on the road to the 2010 FIBA World
Championship in Turkey.
China, 14-time gold medalists in the Championship, will attempt to dethrone
defending champions Iran in the final on Sunday.
Lebanon, failed to make the final for the first time in three FIBA Asia
Championships having lost to China and Iran in the 2005 and 2007 respectively.
They, however, have another chance to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World
Championship when they play against Jordan in the bronze medal play-off on
Sunday.
Both the coaches understandably sounded exhausted after the game.
It was a tough game, Chinas Guo Shiqiang echoed Lebanons Dragan Raca.
After all its one step before the final. It ought to be tight, they said.
Hu Xuefeng converted all the three free-throws, drawing a foul on Rony Fahed to
give China a marginal 70-68 lead with 0:42 seconds left on the clock.
Brian Feghalis three-pointer attempt bounced off the rim and when Fadi El Khatib
fouled Yi Jianlian to save time, the latter converted twice from the foul-line
to take China to safety.
Lebanon did begin aggressively racing ahead 9-2 in the first five minutes of the
game.
And when Wang Zhizhi leveled the scores at 14, for the first time for China,
Jackson Vroman converted both his free-throws and Fadi El Khatib shot from the
paint to give Lebanon a 18-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Lebanon kept their noses ahead in the second quarter and Vroman managed to put
them back in lead when Yi leveled the scores at 31-31.
China went into the lead for the first time in the game only at the stroke of
the second quarter buzzer when Liu Wei scored in the paint.
Yi Jianlian had just earlier leveled the scores with his trademark dunk.
Incidentally, that was only the third time China had leveled the scores in the
entire first half.
And when the second half began, Wang Shipeng who had drawn a blank during his
13:31 presence on the court in the first half reeled in the first nine points
and China were comfortably ahead 44-33.
Lebanon did fight back closing in the gap and went ahead marginally midway
through the fourth quarter and kept pegging on their rivals heels.
And that foul in the dying moments proved their undoing.
Jackson Vroman led the game in scoring with 21 points, in a 56% field record
(9/16), and collected 10 rebounds.
No other Lebanese crossed double-figures.
The only other Lebanese to convert at least half his scoring attempts was Ali
Mahmoud who got all of two shots at the goal.
Wang Zhizhi was Chinas leading scorer with 20 points, 12 of them in the second
half. Chinas first NBA export also collected a team-high nine rebounds.
Yi Jianlian converted six of his 10 attempts in two pointers and returned 18
points.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
AFAGH TAKES CHAMPS IRAN TO FINAL - Aug.
15, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Defending champions
Iran handled the pressure situations with better composure and eked out a 77-75
win against a doughty fellow West Asian nation Jordan to book their second
successive entry into the title round.
The win which extended Irans run in the championship to 8-0 put the West Asian
powerhouse as the first FIBA Asia team to book their ticket to the 2010 FIBA
World Championships in Turkey.
Iran now await the winners of the second semifinal between hosts China and last
editions silver medalists Lebanon.
Jordan will play the losers of that game in the bronze medal play-off which also
will decide the third qualifier for the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
Our aim here is to win the gold medal, said Iran coach Veselin Matic.
Qualifying (to the FIBA World Championship) is important, but its more important
to retain the title, Matic added.
So we will come out even harder tomorrow, the Serbian said.
Jordan fought back gallantly to go into a 75-74 lead only the third team they
took a lead and by one point on all occasions on an Enver Soobzokov
three-pointer.
But Pooya Tadjik converted one of the two free-throws and Samad Nikkah drove in
the lane to put Iran back in lead. And with Rasheim Wrights fade away bouncing
off the rim, Jordan were left with no time.
I think we lost the initiative in the first half, said Jordan coach Mario Palma.
After that it was always uphill. Against a team like Iran it doesnt succeed that
easily, he added.
Samad led the scoring for the game with 23 points, but those two he scored with
about seven seconds will be worth their weight in gold.
For sure, he said. It doesnt matter how many points you score otherwise. Im
happy I scored that basket.
Hamed Afagh (192-G-83) had been the saviour for Iran before that.
The Saba Mehr guard was inducted only in the second quarter, which Iran started
at a shaky 17-12.
Hamed Afagh had an effect immediately firing in six points in a 1-2-3
sequence and with Javad Davari beginning to find the mark with five points
during this time Iran raced away with an 11-2 run which gave Matic the leeway to
give the injured Mahdi Kamrani the much needed breather.
And when Jordan staged a scintillating third quarter rally outscoring Iran
27-16,
Hamed Afagh stepped up yet again.
The 26-year-old scored the first five points of the fourth quarter and Davari
again
consolidated the position further and Iran were back in control.
Not that Jordan were blown away but Iran were always ahead on the scoreboard,
except for the two occasions once each midway through the first and third
quarters when Jordan rallied.
And whenever Jordan fought back,
Hamed Afagh was at hand to regain the control for Iran.
Hamed Afagh had an incredible 5/7 record in three pointers for his 18
points.
Hamed EHadadi scored only five points, but stood tall and solid in defence
collecting 12 rebounds most importantly 11 of them in defence.
Rasheim Wright was Jordans highest scorer with 17 points, but scored 11 of them
in the first half.
Sam Daghles, who scored nine points in Jordans third quarter gallantry, had
fifteen points.
Zaid Abbbas double-double 11 points and a game-high 17 points went in a losing
cause.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
Summary of the Semifinals in Tianjin - Aug. 15, 2009
SEMIFINALS
Iran - Jordan
77-75
The defending champion outsmarted Jordan 77-75 thanks to last basket by
MohammadSamad Nikkhah (199-G/F-83, agency:
ACMT)
with 13 seconds left. Jordan had two attempts after that, but missed both. It
means that Iran stays unbeaten in Tianjin and it will have a chance to defend
Asian title tomorrow against China. Jordan will take on Lebanon for third place.
Iran also already booked a spot for the World Championship 2010 in Turkey, while
Jordan will do the same if they celebrate tomorrow.
MohammadSamad Nikkhah led the scorers in the winning squad today with 23
points. He also had 5 rebounds and 5 assists beside that.
Hamed Afagh (192-G-83) scored 18, while all other players in Iran were below
10. Jordan got 17 points from
Rasheim Wright (194-G-81, college:
District of Col.).
Osama Daghles (199-G-79, college:
Midwestern St.) added 15 pts and 6 rebounds.
China - Lebanon
72-68
China registered 8th consecutive win in Tianjin advancing to Big Final. The host
of AsiaBasket 2009 this time was better than Lebanon thanks to mini 4-0 run in
the last minute. With this victory China booked a spot for the World
Championship 2010 in Turkey and tomorrow will have a chance to win the Gold
against the defending champion - Iran. Lebanon will meet Jordan for the Bronze
and the winner of that game will also participate on the WC next year.
Wang Zhizhi (214-C-79) stepped up for the hosts with 20 points and 9 rebounds.
Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) had 18 and
Wang Shipeng (197-F/G-83) added 11 pts.
Jackson Vroman (208-C/F-81, college:
Iowa St.)
was on fire in loss with 27 points (also had 10 rebounds).
Places 5-8
South Korea - Taiwan
65-70
Taiwan was better than South Korea today staying in race for the fifth place in
Tianjin. In order to do that Taiwan will have to beat Qatar tomorrow. On the
other side, South Korea will take on Philippines. The winner of that match will
end the contest as No.7.
Tien Lei (202-F-83) was a key player for Taiwan today collecting 18 points
and 6 rebounds.
Tseng Wen-Ting (202-C/F-84) had 15 pts, while
Chang Chih Feng (183-G-81) added 4 less. In the loosing squad,
Ha Seung-Jin (222-C-85) delivered 21 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Oh Se-Keun (201-C-87) stopped on 10 pts and 9 rebounds.
Philippines - Qatar
65-83
Qatar smashed Philippines today mostly owing to impressive performance by
Saad Abdulrahman Ali (193-F-85). With this victory Qatar moves on in the
battle for fifth place on in Tianjin. Its last obstacle will be Taiwan tomorrow.
Philippines will meet South Korea in the battle for 7th place.
Saad Abdulrahman Ali led Qatar with 23 points and 6 rebounds.
Mustafa ElSayad (206-F/C-82, college:
Fresno St.)
had 13 pts and 12 rebounds, while
Saleem Abdullah Mohammed (202-C-82) added 11 pts and 12 boards.
Places 9-10
Kazakhstan - Japan
77-73
Kazakhstan finished the AsiaBasket 2009 with two victories. After 76-57 against
Kuwait, the Kazakhs were better than Japan today finishing the contest on
position No.9. Naturally, Japan is the 10th ranked team in Tianjin.
Anton Ponomarev (209-C-88, agency:
Court Side)
shined for Kazakjhstan with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Dmitriy Gavrilov (201-F-86) had 17 pts and 11 boards, while
Rustam Yargaliyew (195-F-86) delivered 12 pts, plus grabbed 8 boards. Japan
got 20 points from
Kei Igarashi (180-G-80).
Kosuke Takeuchi (205-C/F-85) stopped on 2 pts less and 10 rebounds.
Places 11-12
United Arab Emirates - Kuwait
61-65
Kuwait outsmarted UAE in decisive game for 11th place on AsiaBasket 2009.
Yesterday, Kuwait faced with loss against Kazakhstan, but today managed to end
this event with victory. Of course, UAE is No.12 in Tianjin.
Mohammad Ashkanani (193-F-84) shined for the winners with 20 points and 6
rebounds.
Abdulaziz AlHamidi (184-G-87) followed with 14, while
Shayee Saeed (180-G-86) added 13 pts, 6 boards and 5 assists. In UAE,
Younis Ibrahim (185-G-82) led the scorers with 15 pts.
Talal AlNuaimi (180-G-88) stopped on 3 less.
FAHED HELPS LEBANON COMPLETE LAST FOUR - Aug.
14, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Can one of the WABA
trio in the semifinals go all the way to break the Chinese dominance in the FIBA
Asia Championship?
Thats the question that is doing the rounds after Iran, Lebanon and Jordan
joined hosts China in completing the semifinal line-up in the 25th FIBA Asia
Championship on Friday.
China defeated Chinese Taipei 101-83 raising their game beyond their rivals
reach in the second quarter and set up what will the first of their two
back-to-back duels with a West Asian team over the weekend.
First up for China is last editions silver medalists Lebanon, who became the
only current team to enter the semifinals for the fifth FIBA Asia Championship
in a row.
The 2007 FIBA Asia silver medalists ousted last editions bronze medalists Korea
in a nail-biting 68-65 result.
This will be the first time in FIBA Asia Championship history that Korea will
not feature in the last four.
Incidentally, Chinas lowest margin of victory their fifth win in their 7-0 run
in the Championship came against Lebanon, with the hosts scraping through 71-68
by the skin of their teeth.
And the WABA test for China doesnt end there.
For, Chinas opponent in the final on Sunday is definitely a WABA team with
Jordan and Iran set up the other semifinal clash.
Defending champions Iran, who broke Chinas four-in-a-row title streak at
Tokushima FIBA Asia Championship two years ago, emerged 75-65 winners over Qatar
after a scrappy first half.
And Jordan carried too many guns to quash Philippines hopes with an 81-70 win to
book their maiden entry into the semifinal.
Jordan 81 bt Philippines 70
Ayman Idais was the hero in Jordans win.
The 205-cm centre scored 13 of his games 20 points in the second quarter to pull
Jordan away from a fighting Philippines.
The 31-year-old fired three three-pointers with Sam Daghles free-throw
conversion interspersing the last two and Jordan surged ahead with a 10-0 run
the longest run of the game midway through the second quarter.
We have proved we belong to the top-four in Asia, said Jordan coach Mario Palma.
Rasheim Wright scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second half.
Zaid Abbas pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds for Jordan and Daghles had a
game-high nine assists.
Gabriel Norwoods 11 points was the highest in Filipinos all-round scoring.
Iran 75 bt Qatar 65
A 15-6 advantage in the last five minutes of the third quarter, which was
consolidated with a 13-2 run in the early part of the fourth was the cause of
Irans entry into the semifinals.
Iran, thus won despite suffering a major blow at the end of the third quarter
when their playmaker Mahdi Kamrani exited hurting his back.
Iran kept the scoring close in the first half, but Qatar looked the better
organized side.
Hamed Afagh scored 12 of his game-high 26 points in the third quarter to steady
Irans ship.
Hamed EHadadi had 16 points nine of them in the second half and returned a
double-double collecting 15 rebounds.
Samad Nikkah who played braving an injured knee had 13 points, eight of them in
the fourth quarter.
Saad Ali was the highest scorer for Qatar with 23 points, but 13 of them came in
the first half.
China 101 bt Ch. Taipei 83
Wild card entrants Chinese Taipei did rather well in the early phases of their
game even managed to take a five-point lead in the closing minutes of the first
half. But that only piqued the Chinese.
For, the hosts unleashed a scorching 15-2 run from that point to close the
second quarter comfortably ahead and continued relentlessly till they finished
with a thumping win.
Tien Lie sprang a surprise on the Chinese, scoring 13 points of his team-high 17
for the game to put Taipei ahead.
But China who had looked complacent defensively till then, even during the time
when they led, pulled up their socks to almost shut Taipei completely out after
that.
Yi Jianlian and Wang Zhizhi led the scoring for China with 25 points each, with
the former returning a double-double.
New Jersey Nets Yi scored 25 points and collected 14 rebounds.
Wang, the first Chinese player to enter the NBA ranks, had eight boards.
Tien drew a blank in the second half and Chang Tsung-Hsien, who scored 12 of his
14 points for the game ploughed a lone furrow for Taipei.
Lebanon 68 bt Korea 65
Guard Rony Fahed scored nine of his game-high 21 points at the crucial juncture
to pull Lebanon away to victory.
Both teams were edgy and error-prone in their offence. Scoring in spurts was
sporadic and leads were shaky.
In one of the many comebacks in the game, Faheds blazing three-pointer tied the
score at 49 at the end of the third quarter. Fahed went on to score the six of
the next eight points in the game with Mat Freije success on the paint
interspersing and Lebanon went well ahead.
Korea launched a counter-offensive yet again, with Kang Byunghun firing in two
back-to-back three-pointers and assisting Kim Joo Sung for another to close in
59-62.
And Yang Donggeun sank another to take it further close to 64-65, but Korea had
taken five attempts to get that success leaving them with too little a time.
Mat Freije who went 60% in field attempts (6/10), including a 2/4 in three
pointers contributed xx points for Lebanon. He also pulled down seven rebounds.
Kim Joo Sung was the leading scorer for Korea with 14 points.
Ha Seung-jin pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, but scored only two points.
Kazakhs-Japan clash for 9th place
Last editions semifinalists Kazakhstan and Japan, who fell out of the last eight
for the first time in FIBA Asia Championship history won their 9-12
classification games to set up a clash for the ninth place.
Japan overcame a mid-game slump to defeat United Arab Emirates 86-59 after
Kazakhstan had outclassed Kuwait 76-57.
Kosuke Takeuchi was the leading scorer for Japan with a game-high 20 points.
Saleh Khalifas 15 points was the highest scorer for UAE.
Alexander Tyutyunik led the scoring for Kazakhstan with 20 points, sharing the
scoring honours for the game with Kuwaits Mohammad Ashkanani.
SATURDAYS SCHEDULE
09:00: 11-12 Plc: UAE vs Kuwait
11:00: 9-10 Plc: Kazakhstan vs Japan
14:00: 5-8 Plc: Philippines vs Qatar
16:00: SF: Iran vs Jordan
19:00: 5-8 Plc: Korea vs Ch. Taipei
21:00: SF: China vs Lebanon
Note: All timings Tianjin local (GMT+8)
S Mageshwaran
FAHED HELPS LEBANON COMPLETE LAST FOUR - Aug.
14, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) -
Rony Fahed (182-G-81, agency:
Pro Management Agency) scored nine of his game-high 21 points at the crucial
juncture as Lebanon pulled away to a 68-65 win over Korea in the last of the
quarterfinals on Friday.
The win which pitted Lebanon against hosts China in the last four, also ensured
that the West Asian giants entered the semifinals for the fifth Championship.
While for Lebanon it was setting a new record, for Korea it was breaking one.
The 2007 FIBA Asia Championship bronze medalists failed to qualify for the
semifinals for the first time in FIBA Asia Championship history.
It wasnt easy at all. We always knew it was going to be a one ball game, said
Dragan Raca.
Im glad it ended in our favour, he heaved a sigh of relief.
With such high stakes in place, it was only natural both teams were edgy and
error-prone in their offence. Scoring in spurts was sporadic and leads were
shaky as both teams fought on even keel in exchanges as well as scoring.
Thus, neither the run 10-0 Lebanon posted with five points on each side of the
first quarter break nor a similar spree Korea recorded midway through the third
quarter gave any decisive edge on the scoreboard to any team.
And when
Rony Faheds three-point attempt blazed the basket to tie the score at 49 at
the end of the third quarter the game reached a new crescendo.
The Sagesse guard scored the six of the next eight points in the game with Mat
Freije success on the paint interspersing and Lebanon had posted another 10-0
run.
Only this time the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship silver medalists 2007 FIBA Asia
Championship silver medalists guarded it with ferocity.
Fahed returned a 3/6 in three-pointers out of a 6/11 field record.
Im happy I could help the team to this important win, Fahed said.
Korea launched a counter-offensive yet again, with Kang Byunghun firing in two
back-to-back three-pointers and assisting Kim Joo Sung for another to close in
59-62.
And Yang Donggeun sank another to take it further close to 64-65, but Korea had
taken five attempts to get that success leaving them with too little a time.
Freije who went 60% in field attempts (6/10), including a 2/4 in three pointers
contributed 14 points for Lebanon. He also pulled down seven rebounds.
Kim Joo Sung was the leading scorer for Korea with 14 points.
Ha Seung-jin pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, but scored only two points.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
JORDAN - OUR FIRST TARGET IS TURKEY,CHAMPIONSHIP
AFTER THAT: IDIAS - Aug. 14, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) -
Ayman Idais (208-C-78, agency:
Court Side)
played, to put in his own words, his best game of the Championship steering
Jordan past Philippines into their maiden semifinal in the FIBA Asia
Championships on Friday.
The 205-cm centre scored 13 of his games 20 points during the second quarter
sparking a 10-0 run that took Jordan away from a dogged Philippines.
S Mageshwaran of FIBA Asia caught up with the 31-year-old after the game.
First semifinal entry for Jordan. Your initial thoughts?
It (the semifinal berth) basically shows nothing is impossible with hard work.
Its the result of the hard work everybody in the team including coach (Mario
Palma) has put over the last three years.
Obviously, it is exciting. And I think we have always deserved to be there. Only
that we were struggling to translate our potential into performance.
Thank god, things are beginning to fall in place now.
Now that we are in the semifinals, we want to go all the way and take a shot at
the Championship. Looking at the way we have played here, I dont think its out
of our reach.
We came here with qualifying (for the 2010 FIBA World Championship at Turkey) as
our target. But now we are determined to give a shot at the title.
Can we talk about your game today? You were red hot in that second quarter.
In the first quarter they (Philippines) played real tight defence. I wasnt
getting open enough.
But in the second it began to fall in. And it was nothing unusual as far as Im
concerned. Just that those shots fell.
But more importantly, I am glad it helped the team to win in the end.
Did the way Philippines fight back in the fourth quarter scare you?
Seriously.
My mind was only thinking about that bad quarter we had against Japan which put
us out of the semifinals last time.
But like I said that was two years ago.
The team has improved drastically in these two years. Our chemistry is a lot
better and clicking.
Do you feel there are areas where Jordan can improve here?
Yes definitely.
We are surely playing some of the best basketball of our life. But lets not
forget this is a Championship. And we want to win it.
Its a long tournament. We are very tired, but thankfully we are not dropping in
our performance. Thats an achievement.
Of course we want to improve in our defence and defensive rebounds. That will be
the key to our further progress here.
S Mageshwaran
CHINESE TYPHOON SINKS TAIPEI - Aug.
14, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Chinese Taipei did
rather well in the early phases of their quarterfinal game against hosts China
on Friday.
The wild card entrants even managed to take a five-point lead in the closing
minutes of the first half. But that only piqued the Chinese.
For, the hosts unleashed a scorching 15-2 run from that point to close the
second quarter comfortably ahead and continued relentlessly till they finished
with a 101-83 win.
The win put former champions China in the semifinals, after finishing 10th at
the Tokushima FIBA Asia Championship two years ago.
China seemed to hold the edge in scoring going into the second quarter.
But Tien Lie sprang a surprise on the Chinese, scoring 13 points of his
team-high 17 for the game, as Taipei caught their rivals off guard.
But this was to be no David slaying Goliath story.
China who had looked complacent defensively till then, even during the time when
they led, pulled up their socks to almost shut Taipei completely out after that.
Rebounds, especially those in defence, played a crucial role in Chinas
resurgence.
The hosts who had 13 defensive rebounds in the first half, out of a total 20,
almost doubled it in the third quarter collecting 22 defensive boards in a total
of 32 collections.
China won the battle of boards 43-26 finally.
Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) and Wang Zhizhi led the scoring for China with 25
points each, with the former returning a double-double.
New Jersey Nets Yi scored 25 points and collected 14 rebounds.
Wang, the first Chinese player to enter the NBA ranks, had eight boards.
Wang Shipeng added 10 in the second half to his first halfs four, including a
2/3 effort in three-pointers as Hu Xuefeng had a game-high six assists all of
them in the second half.
Tien drew a blank in the second half and Chang Tsung-Hsien, who scored 12 of his
14 points for the game ploughed a lone furrow for Taipei.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
CHAMPS IRAN SHRUG OFF EARLY HICCUPS,ENTER LAST 4 - Aug.
14, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - A 15-6 advantage
earned in the last five minutes of the third quarter helped defending champions
Iran overcome their early hiccups and a doughty Qatar to post a 75-65 win in the
second quarterfinal on Friday.
Iran will take on fellow West Asian nation Jordan in the semifinal on Saturday.
In terms of preparation, I think we are the best team in this Championship. Only
that we fail at crucial times, said Qatar coach Ali Ahmad Fakhroo.
We had problems of our own even before we started, said Iran coach Veselin
Matic.
But in the end, we won. Thats what is important.
Iran suffered a major blow at the end of the third quarter with their playmaker
Mahdi Kamrani exiting with a painful back injury.
That did not deter Veselin Matics team from outscoring Qatar 13-2 in the early
part of the fourth quarter and Iran in the flash of an eye were 67-48 ahead.
Irans third quarter fightback had thus been consolidated and the champions didnt
look back after that.
He has gone to the hospital. Well know something concrete only after two hours,
Matic said about Kamranis injury.
Qatar did hold the more fancied Iran by the scruff of their necks for a better
part of the first half.
I think defensively we did alright. It was in the offence that we began to
decline as the game progressed, Fakhroo lamented.
Iran kept the scoring close but Qatar looked the better organized side.
All till Hamed Afagh scripted that third quarter blitz.
The 26-year-old Saba Mehr guard scored 12 of his game-high 26 points in the
third quarter to steady Irans ship.
Afagh who was inducted only in the second quarter, returned a staggering 82%
field record (9/11), including a 5/7 in three pointers.
Hamed EHadadi had 16 points nine of them in the second half and returned a
double-double.
The Memphis Grizzlies centre collected a game-high 15 rebounds, and more
importantly nine of them in defence.
Samad Nikkah who played braving an injured knee had 13 points, eight of them in
the fourth quarter.
Initially I thought I wont play. Even when I started it was really painful. But
I guess the adrenaline took over after a point, Samad said.
Saad Ali was the highest scorer for Qatar with 23 points, but 13 of them came in
the first half.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
Summary of the Quarterfinals in Tianjin - Aug. 14, 2009
1/4 FINALS
South Korea
-
Lebanon65-68
Lebanon
did a great job today eliminating
South Korea in AsiaBasket Quarterfinals. The
Koreans advanced to this stage as No.2 of Qualifying Group E with 5-1 record,
but
Lebanon managed to beat them
and it will meet undefeated China in the Semis. The Koreans will
continue in Classification Round for 5th-8th place.
Rony Fahed (182-G-81, agency:
Pro Management Agency) this time led Lebanon with 21 points and 6
rebounds.
Matt Freije (206-F-81, agency:
Priority Sports, college:
Vanderbilt)
had 14 pts and 7 boards, while
Jackson Vroman (208-C/F-81, college:
Iowa St.)
also had important role with 12 pts and 9 rebounds.
Kim Joo-Sung (205-C-79) netted 14 points in the loosing squad.
Oh Se-Keun (201-C-87) added 2 less.
Jordan
-
Philippines81-70
Jordan
outplayed Philippines
81-70 advancing to AsiaBasket 2009 Semifinals. That is the 6th win for Team
Jordan in Tianjin and it will meet the
defending champion Iran
at the next stage. Philippines
are eliminated and they will continue in Classification Games for 5-8 place.
Rasheim Wright (194-G-81, college:
District of Col.) once again shined for the
winners collecting 21 points and 5 rebounds.
Ayman Idais (208-C-78, agency:
Court Side) also was pretty good scoring 20
points and also grabbing 5 boards, while
Zaid Abbaas (203-F-83) this time stopped on 9
pts, plus 16 boards. In the loosing squad,
Gabe Norwood (196-G/F-85, college:
George Mason) scored 11 points.
Willie Miller (180-G-77) and
Jared Dillinger (191-G/F-84, college:
Hawaii) followed with 10 pts each.
Qatar
-
Iran65-75
The defending champion celebrated expected win against Qatar advancing to Semifinals
in Tianjin. It means that
Iran
remains unbeaten on AsiaBasket 2009 in seven consecutive games (7-0).
Qatar
faced with elimination and it will go to Classification Round for 5-8 place.
Hamed Afagh (192-G-83) once again shined for
Iran
draining 26 points (5 triples).
Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85, agency:
Agency No 10) had 16 pts and 15 rebounds, while
MohammadSamad Nikkhah (199-G/F-83, agency:
ACMT) added 13 pts and 5 rebs.
Saad Abdulrahman Ali (193-F-85) responded with
23 pts in defeat.
Ali Ali (201-F-82) had 11. Iran will meet
Jordan
in the Semis.
Taiwan
-
China83-101
The host of AsiaBasket 2009 did not have any troubles to beat Taiwan
and to reach the Semifinals. With this victory China improved its record on
7-0 in Tianjin. On the other
side, Taiwan
is eliminated and it won't have a chance to fight for the medals. Now
Taiwan
is transferred to Classification Round for 5-8 place.
Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) once again was the best player in his team
collecting 25 points and 14 rebounds.
Wang Zhizhi (214-C-79) also drained 25 pts, but
with 8 boards.
Tien Lei (202-F-83) answered with 17 points in
defeat.
Tsung-Hsien Chang (190-F-88) had 3 less.
Places 9-12
Kuwait
- Kazakhstan57-76
Kazakhstan
made a first step to 9th place in Tianjin. After today's
victory against Kuwait, the Kazakhs will have
to beat Japan
tomorrow in order to grab the above mentioned spot. Kuwait
will take on UAE also tomorrow. The winner of that game will be No.11 on
AsiaBasket 2009.
Alexandr Tyutyunik (198-G-90) was a key player
in victory scoring 20 points and grabbing 5 rebounds.
Dmitriy Gavrilov (201-F-86) had 17 pts and 8
boards, while
Anton Ponomarev (209-C-88, agency:
Court Side) added 15 pts and 13 boards. In Team
Kuwait,
Mohammad Ashkanani (193-F-84) delivered 20
points and pulled down 6 boards.
Hussein Alkhabbaz (194-F-87) was way behind him
with 11 pts.
Japan
-
United Arab Emirates86-59
Japan
finished the first task for 9th place in Tianjin successfully.
After today's 86-59 win against UAE, Japan will take on
Kazakhstan
tomorrow. The winner of the game will grab the above mentioned spot. On the
other side, we have UAE who will meet Kuwait
for position No.11.
Kosuke Takeuchi (205-C/F-85) led the scorers in
Japan
with 20 points (also had 13 boards).
Yusuke Okada (185-G-84) had 18 and
Kei Igarashi (180-G-80) delivered 11 pts. UAE
got 15 points from
Saleh Khalifa (-89).
Younis Ibrahim (185-G-82) delivered 13 pts and
pulled down 8 boards.
DAY SIX ROUND-UP: IRAN,CHINA TAKE TOP PLACE AS
TAIPEI,QATAR MAKES LAST 8 GRADE - Aug. 12, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Jordan and Korea
displayed such prowess pitted against much more fancied rivals that those
seeking competitive basketball in the knockout rounds were left well pleased.
Jordan provided a few shocks to China, but seasoned campaigner Wang Zhizhi
turned the saviour for the hosts steering them to an 89-83 win. A win that gave
China the top place in Group F and Jordan their first defeat in the
Championship.
Korea, bronze medalists of the 2007 edition, gave defending champions Iran a
mighty scare before the latter woke up in time to post an 82-66 win.
The result put Iran on top of Group E, while handing Korea their first loss.
In other Group E action, Chinese Taipei took the fourth available quarterfinal
spot with a comfortable 99-79 triumph over Japan and Philippines were rather
nonchalant in beating Kuwait 85-71.
In Group F, Lebanon overpowered and ousted last editions semifinalists
Kazakhstan 91-45 to help Qatar book the fourth place after Qatar had rolled past
United Arab Emirates 91-45.
Group E
A blistering 14-0 run helped Iran race past Korea
Korea did run the floor hard in the opening quarter.
Yang Donggeun, Kim Joo Sung and Yang Heejong sank a three-pointer each as Korea
led 19-18 at the end of the first quarter.
They carried the edge into the second quarter too, but Iran made their move in
the last three minutes of the first half.
Hamed Afagh scored five including a three-pointer of his game-high 24 points to
lead Iran to a 14-0 run after Iran never trailed.
Afagh fired nine points in all out of his game-high 24 points and Hamed EHadadi
scored six of his 21 in the second quarter as Iran took a comfortable 44-31 lead
going to the change rooms.
EHadadi also collected a game-high 16 points.
Korea were surely brow beaten by that spree and never recovered.
Yang Donggeun led Koreas scoring with 13 points, but five of them coming in the
first quarter.
Kim Joo Sung had 12 and Yang Heejong had 11, but drew a blank in the fourth
quarter.
Chinese Taipei justified their wild card entry by making the quarterfinals, thus
keeping Japan out of the top eight for the first time.
Its quite an achievement entering the last eight in this highly competitive
fray, said Taipei coach Chung Kwang-Suk.
Japan held the scoring edge in the first five minutes of the game but a 10-0 run
turned the tables in Taipeis favour.
Tseng-Wen Ting returned a game-high 20 points, 14 of them in the second half.
Lee Hsueh-Lin and Chang Chih-Feng had held the Taipei campaign on course before
that.
Lee Hsueh scored 15 of his games 16 points in the first half. And Chang Chih
contributed 12 for the game, 10 of them in the first quarter.
Tien Li was consistent throughout for his 16 points.
Joji Takeuchi and Kei Igarashi shared the scoring honours for Japan with 18
points each.
With everything including their standing in Group E eight-final round confirmed
even before the start of the game Philippines played against Kuwait without any
pressure.
Pauliasi Taulava played his longest game of the competition and justified it
with a double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Cyrus Baguio led Philippines scoring with 14 points.
We have achieved better than last times finish of ninth. That was the first goal
here. Now we want to fight and go as far as we can, Philippines coach Joseller
Guiao said of the quarterfinal clash against Jordan.
Rashed Alrabah and Mohammad Ashkanani both returned a game-high 20 each for
Kuwait.
Group F
Seasoned campaigner Wang Zhizhi fired in all cylinders at the crucial junctures
and spearhead Yi Jianlian played an all-round consistent game to steer hosts
China past Jordan.
Wang Zhizhi, the first Chinese to play in the NBA, scored twice in the paint as
China scored the first eight points of the game.
Jordan attempted a fight back in the second quarter, bringing the score close to
34-36, but Wang stepped up again. The 213-cm centre scored four points to
spearhead a 9-0 run
And when Jordan closed in 74-77 in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter,
Wang moved in yet again pulling down two defensive rebounds, scoring five points
as China went ahead with the win.
Wang finished with 23 points, and pulled down eight rebounds.
Yi led the game in scoring 29 points as well as rebounds 18 boards.
Jordan, for sure, did not give up. Just every time they tried to stage a
comeback, China had Wang protecting their cause.
Rasheim Wright was, as usual, the leading scorer for Jordan, but for the first
time in the Championship in a losing cause with 28 points.
Zaid Abbas returned a 14-point game.
Lebanon gave Kazakhstan no allowance right from the word go.
The West Asian powerhouse scored the first 10 points of the game and cruised
along.
Fadi El Khatib, Mat Freije and Jackson Vroman all made merry improving their PPG
average.
El Khatib returned a game-high 24 points.
Freije contributed 19 and Vroman had 17.
Alexander Tyutyunik was the highest scorer for Kazakhstan with 12 points.
Saad Ali led the scoring for Qatar with 18 points and Yaseen Ismail contributed
13 points.
Talal Alnuaimi was the highest scorer for UAE with 15 points.
QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE (Friday)
1400 Hrs: Jordan vs Philippines
1600 Hrs: Qatar vs Iran
1900 Hrs: Chinese Taipei vs China
2100 Hrs: Korea vs Lebanon
Note: All timings Tianjin local (GMT+8)
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
LEB/KAZ: LEBANON'S WIN ENSURES QATAR'S PROGRESS - Aug.
12, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Twice back-to-back
silver medallists Lebanon scored powered their way to a 105-56 triumph over last
editions semifinalists Kazakhstan in their final Group F eight-final round game
on Wednesday.
The win which gave Lebanon a 3-2 win-loss situation put Lebanon in the No 3 spot
in Group F and also confirmed that Qatar will qualify as the fourth team from
this Group.
Kazakhstan, who needed a win in this game for a chance to force a three-way tie,
will now play the 9-12 classification.
Lebanon gave Kazakhstan no allowance right from the word go.
The West Asian powerhouse one of the three Asian teams to play the 2006 FIBA
World Championship scored the first 10 points of the game and cruised along.
Alexander Tyutyunik was the highest scorer for Kazakhstan with 12 points.
FIBA Asia
Summary of Day 6 in Tianjin (last day of Qualifying
Round) - Aug. 12, 2009
Group E
Philippines - Kuwait
85-71
Philippines outplayed Kuwait in the last day of Qualifying Round in Tianjin
improving to 4-2 record. That is enough for third place in Group E and
AsiaBasket 2009 Quarterfinals. On the other side, Kuwait is the last ranked team
in this pool with 1-5 and it failed to advance. Kuwait will continue in
Classification Games for 9th place, while Philippines will take on Jordan in
QFinals.
Cyrus Baguio (188-G-80) led the winners today with 14 points.
Pauliasi Taulava (206-C-73, college:
BYU-Hawaii)
was second scorer of the team with 12 points (plus grabbed 10 rebounds). In Team
Kuwait,
Rashed AlRabah (189-F-87) and
Mohammad Ashkanani (193-F-84) posted 20 pts each.
Shayee Saeed (180-G-86) stopped on 10.
South Korea - Iran 66-82
Both teams entered to this game undefeated meaning that it was decider for
position No.1 in Group E. The defending champion celebrating in style 82-66 and
it will meet Qatar in the Quarterfinals. South Korea fell to second place with
5-1. Their rival will be Lebanon.
Hamed Afagh (192-G-83) shined for Iran today with 24 points (4 triples).
Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85, agency:
Agency No 10) also was on high level collecting 21 points and 16 rebounds, while
MohammadSamad Nikkhah (199-G/F-83, agency:
ACMT)
scored 13 pts. The Koreans got 13 points from
Yang DongGeun (182-G-81).
JinSoo Kim (205-C-89) followed with one less.
Japan - Taiwan
79-99
Taiwan celebrated crucial 99-79 win against Japan advancing to AsiaBasket 2009
Quarterfinals. Taiwan ended Qualifying Round as No.4 in Group E with 3-3 record.
Japan dropped to 2-4 and it will have to fight for 9th place now.
Tseng Wen-Ting (202-C/F-84) stepped up for the winners with double-double,
20 points and 10 rebounds.
Tien Lei (202-F-83) and
Lee Hsueh-Lin (175-G-84) combined 32 points and 14 rebounds. Japan got the most
from
Joji Takeuchi (205-C-85), 18 points and 7 rebounds.
Kei Igarashi (180-G-80) also scored 18, while
Takehiko Orimo (190-G-70) added 3 pts less.
Group F
Qatar - United Arab Emirates
91-45
Qatar smashed UAE today improving to 3-3 record in Group F. That is the crucial
win for Qatar, who managed to reach Quarterfinals as the fourth ranked team in
this pool. There, Qatar will meet defending champion Iran. UAE ended this stage
with 1-5 and it will continue in Classification Games for 9th place.
Saad Abdulrahman Ali (193-F-85) stepped up for Qatar with 18 points in 13
minutes.
Yasseen Musa (204-F-80) had 13 and Omer Abgader added 12 pts, plus 9 boards.
UAE got the most from
Ibrahim AlSari (-80), 16 pts.
Talal AlNuaimi (180-G-88) scored one less.
Kazakhstan - Lebanon
56-105
Lebanon totally destroyed Kazakhstan today jumping to 4-2 record in Group F.
That is enough for third place meaning that Lebanon will meet South Korea in
AsiaBasket Quarterfinals. In Group E Korea had almost perfect 5-1. Kazakhstan
failed to advance and it will go to Classification Round. There Kazakhs will
fight for 9th place.
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency:
Pro Management Agency) shined in victory with 24 points and 6 rebounds.
Matt Freije (206-F-81, agency:
Priority Sports, college:
Vanderbilt)
had 19 and
Jackson Vroman (208-C/F-81, college:
Iowa St.)
added 17 points. In the loosing squad,
Alexandr Tyutyunik (198-G-90) delivered 12 pts.
Dmitriy Gavrilov (201-F-86) contributed with 10 pts and 8 boards.
China - Jordan
89-83
As Iran - South Korea today, this was another game between two undefeated teams
in Tianjin. The host of AsiaBasket 2009 managed to beat Jordan advancing to
Quarterfinals as No.1 of Group F. Jordan also advanced, but from the second
place.
Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) was a key player for China registering monster
double-double, 29 points and 18 rebounds.
Wang Zhizhi (214-C-79) had 23 points and 8 boards, while
Zhu Fangyu (201-F-83) added 16 pts. Jordan got 28 points from
Rasheim Wright (194-G-81, college:
District of Col.).
Zaid Abbaas (203-F-83) this time stopped on 14. China will meet Taiwan and
Jordan will play against Taiwan in QFinals.
Summary of Day 5 in Tianjin (Qualifying Round)
- Aug. 11, 2009
Group E
Taiwan - South Korea
70-72
South Korea
escaped with tiny 72-70 win against Taiwan
staying perfect in Group E. Iran was better than Philippines
today meaning that tomorrow Koreans and Iranians will fight for position No.1 in
this pool. Taiwan dropped to
2-3 and tomorrow it will take on Japan, who has the same numbers. The
winner of that game will reach the Quarterfinals.
JinSoo Kim (205-C-89) was a key player in
South Korea
collecting 20 points and 9 rebounds.
Yang Hee-Jong (194-F-84) followed with
double-double, 15 pts and 15 boards, while
Bang Sung-Yoon (197-F/G-82) added 10 pts and 7
rebs.
Tsung-Hsien Chang (190-F-88) delivered 17
points in loss.
Wu Tai-Hao (206-C-85, college:
BYU-Hawaii) had five less.
Iran - Philippines 88-78
Iran
grabbed fifth consecutive win in Tianjin remaining on top of Qualifying Group E
with 5-0 record. This time Iran was better than Philippines, who
fell to 3-2, but also already qialified for the Quarterfinals. There is perfect
South Korea on top together
with Iran, but these two teams will meet
tomorrow in crucial game for position No.1.
MohammadSamad Nikkhah (199-G/F-83, agency:
ACMT) stepped up in victory with 25 points and
6 rebounds.
Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85, agency:
Agency No 10) also shined collecting 21 points,
16 rebounds and 5 assists.
Mahdi Kamrani (180-G-82, agency:
Huss Sport Agency) had 14 and
Oshin Sahakian (202-F-86, agency:
Agency No 10) added 11 pts, plus 7 boards.
Philippines got 14 points and 9
rebounds from
Willie Miller (180-G-77).
Kuwait - Japan
51-78
Very important win for Japan, who stays in race for
AsiaBasket 2009 Quarterfinals. Japan now has 2-3 record in Group E, while
Taiwan is also with the same numbers.
Kuwait fell to 1-4 loosing a chance
to advance.
Tomoo Amino (196-F/G-80) led the winners with
17 points and 6 rebounds.
Takehiko Orimo (190-G-70) had 12 and
Ken Takeda (188-G-78) added 11 pts. In the
loosing squad
Rashed AlRabah (189-F-87) delivered 10 pts. All
other players had 9 or less.
Group F
Lebanon - China
68-71 Another
victory for the host of AsiaBasket 2009, the fifth consecutive. It means that
China has 5-0 record in Qualifying
Group F, but there is Jordan who has a chance to grab the spot No.1. That
depends of tomorrow's crucial game between China and Jordan.
Lebanon dropped to 3-2, but they will
also advance to Quarterfinals.
Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) led Team China with 19
points and 13 rebounds.
Zhu Fangyu (201-F-83) also scored 19, while
Wang Zhizhi (214-C-79) added 11 pts and 7
rebounds.
Jackson Vroman (208-C/F-81, college:
Iowa St.) shined in defeat with 25 points and
12 rebounds.
Matt Freije (206-F-81, agency:
Priority Sports, college:
Vanderbilt) stopped on 22 pts.
Jordan - Qatar
74-60
Jordan became another perfect team in Qualifying Group F. China already did it
today meaning that these two teams will fight tomorrow for position No.1. Of
course, both already qualified for the Quarterfinals in Tianijn. Qatar fell to
2-3 record in the same pool and it also has a chance to advance.
Zaid Abbaas (203-F-83) once again stepped up for Jordan collecting 21 points
and 6 rebounds.
Rasheim Wright (194-G-81, college:
District of Col.) scored 18 and Osama Daghles added 12 points. In Team Qatar,
Saad Abdulrahman Ali (193-F-85) shined with 24 points and 7 rebounds.
Mustafa ElSayad (206-F/C-82, college:
Fresno St.)
dropped 13 pts.
United Arab Emirates - Kazakhstan
56-84
Kazakhstan
handed big 84-56 loss to UAE improving to 2-3 record in Preliminary Group F. It
means that if Kazakhstan
beats Lebanon tomorrow, it will have a
chance to reach the Quarterfinals. UAE fell to 1-4 and there is no chance for
them.
Alexandr Tyutyunik (198-G-90) was totally the
best player in victory collecting 26 points and 6 rebounds.
Anton Ponomarev (209-C-88, agency:
Court Side) had 16 pts and 13 rebounds, while
Rustam Yargaliyew (195-F-86) delivered 15 pts.
In Team UAE,
Talal AlNuaimi (180-G-88) and
Rashed Alzaabi (190-F-88) scored 16 points
each. All other players had less than 7 points.
Places 13-14
Uzbekistan - India
73-89
Position No.13 on AsiaBasket 2009 in Tianjin belongs to India. After victory
against Indonesia, Uzbekistan managed to beat Uzbekistan today with nice 89-73.
Naturally, Uzbekistan is the 14th ranked team on this event. Vineeth Revi paced
India to victory collecting 24 points and 11 rebounds. Talwinderjit Singh had 20
and
Vishesh Bhriguvanshi (192-G-91) posted 16 pts.
Aleksandr Kozlov (202-F-82) and
Kirill Gusev (-90) responded with 17 pts each in loss.
Vyacheslav Denisov (190-F-83) stopped on 10 pts.
Places 15-16
Sri Lanka - Indonesia
42-74 Indonesia
avoided last place on AsiaBasket 2009 in
Tianjin. It means that the only winless team on this
event is Sri Lanka and
they finished as No.16. Of course, 15th place belongs to Indonesia.
Ary Chandra (-84) stepped up in victory with 19
points for 16 minutes on the court.
Erick Sebayang (178-G-83) scored 15 and
Andi Poedjakesuma (187-F-80) had 13 points. In
the loosing squad,
A.P. Pushpakumara Agalathunga (-82) netted 12
points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Chamath Danawansa (-83) stopped on 11 pts.
PROFLIGATE LEBANON LET CHINA OFF THE HOOK - Aug.
11, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Last editions silver
medalists Lebanon failed to convert the chances that came their way and went
down 68-71 to an equally determined hosts China in a crucial Group F eight-final
round game on Tuesday.
China, thus improved their record to 4-0 and will close their eight-final
outings with a clash against another West Asian powerhouse Jordan on the morrow.
Lebanon are 2-2 and need a win against Kazakhstan on Wednesday to assure
themselves of a quarterfinal place.
Lebanon outscored China 24-16 in the fourth quarter to come as close as two
points, but Mat Freijes attempt on the paint with about eight seconds left in
the game bounced off the rim giving China the ball.
Lebanons rally thus failed to make amends for their earlier profligacy.
We were really reckless in the fourth quarter and almost lost it, China coach
Guo Shiqiang.
I think we missed far too many chances early in the game, Lebanon coach Dragan
Raca said.
Lebanon were certainly far more tactical and displayed much better coordination
in their plays.
Where they failed to seize the initiative was in scoring. China got lesser
opportunities in all forms to score, but converted a better part of them.
We had our plan nicely worked out, just that it didnt reach its logical
conclusion, Raca said.
China converted 28 of their 55 field chances as against Lebanons 26 out of 71.
China returned a 57% record in two-pointers (24/42) while Lebanon struggled at
38% (21/56).
Lebanon sank four of their five three-pointers for the game, in a total 15
attempts, in the fourth quarter, but that improvement in scoring rate seemed to
have come too little a little late.
That was the tale of the Lebanese bid to beat the hosts, in vain.
China, grew in confidence gleefully accepting a increasingly fumbling and
faltering rivals and the resultant growth in the scoreboard improved Chinas
head-to-head record against Lebanon to 7-0 in FIBA Asia Championships.
Mat Freije raised hopes a Lebanese fightback firing in 11 of his 22 points in
the third quarter, but that was inadequate against the Chinese teamwork in
scoring.
Guo Shiqiang used 10 of his players and eight of them scored.
I guess this was the toughest game we faced so far. But as we move ahead itll
only get tougher. In a way its nice to win these tough battles, Shiqiang said.
Jackson Vroman (208-C/F-81, college:
Iowa St.)
had a game-high 25 points, but converting only 10 of his 25 field attempts.
Yi Jianlian, Jacksons Chinese counterpart, returned a 69% field record (9/13)
for his 19 points.
Zhu Fangyu also scored 19, 11 of them in the fourth quarter to keep China ahead
against the late Lebanese rally.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
SOLID FOURTH QUARTER GIVES LEBANON VICTORY - Aug.
10, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Lebanon and Qatar
fought a protracted battle right through their Group F eight-final round game on
Monday before the former played a solid fourth quarter to eke out a 73-63 win.
Lebanon thus improved their win-loss record to 2-1, while Qatar slumped to 1-2.
That the teams were tied at 51 going into the final quarter reflected the
evenness of the exchanges of encounter.
Lebanons overall ability especially in three-pointers helped them win the game.
Omar El Turk fired in back-to-back three-pointers to open Lebanons scoring in
the fourth quarter.
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency:
Pro Management Agency) and Jackson Vroman combined to a nicety with the latter
capping a fast breakaway to split the successes in three-pointers from Mat
Freije and Rony Fahed.
Lebanon, thus forged ahead 65-59 as Qatar were confined to scoring in twos in
the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, and grimly hung on
Ironically, Qatar had carried a better three-pointer record 50% (4/8) as against
Lebanons 31% (5/16) in the first three quarters.
And in the fourth quarter Lebanon overshadowed their rivals finding the mark on
four of the nine occasions during this time. Qatar converted none of their six
three-pointer attempts in the fourth quarter.
With most of the other columns remaining close, that was the one factor that
helped twice silver medalists Lebanon prevail over the 2005 FIBA Asia
Championsip bronze medalists.
That was the only space to create we could think of, said Lebanon coach Dragan
Raca of the successes with the three-pointers.
We they would double-team Jackson if he moved inside. And therefore we asked
Omar to open up the game with those three-pointers. But more than the planning
those shots met with success, thankfully, Raca added.
Mat Freije led the scoring for the game with 15 points, five of them in the
fourth quarter.
Fadi El Khatib shot four points in the final ten minutes to finish with 13.
Saad Ali was the leading scorer for Qatar with 14 points, all of them coming in
the first three quarters.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
Summary of Day 4 in Tianjin (Qualifying Round) - Aug.
10, 2009
Group E
Japan - Iran
71-101
The defending champion continues with nice performance in Tianjin. After 3-0 in
Preliminary Round, Iran entered to second stage also with victory. This time it
was against Japan 101-71.
Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85, agency:
Agency No 10) was the best player in Team Iran with 22 points and 15 rebounds.
MohammadSamad Nikkhah (199-G/F-83, agency:
ACMT)
also scored 22, while
Mahdi Kamrani (180-G-82, agency:
Huss Sport Agency) added 16 pts. In Team Japan,
Kosuke Takeuchi (205-C/F-85) answered with 19 points and 6 boards.
Ken Takeda (188-G-78) contributed with 10 pts. Iran is on top of Group E
together with South Korea (4-0), while Japan is on the other side of the
standings with Kuwait (1-3).
Philippines - Taiwan
77-70
Philippines grabbed valuable 77-70 win against Taiwan making a huge step forward
to AsiaBasket 2009 Quarterfinals. With this victory Philippines jumped to 3-1 in
group E, while Taiwan fell to 2-2. Despite that, Taiwan also has nice chance for
the next stage.
James Yap (191-F/G-82) top-scored for the winning squad with 23 points.
Willie Miller (180-G-77) followed with 17 points and 5 rebounds.
Tseng Wen-Ting (202-C/F-84) delivered 21 points and grabbed 7 boards in
defeat. All other players in Taiwan had less than 10 pts.
South Korea - Kuwait
78-58
Fourth consecutive win for South Korea in Kuwait. It means that Koreans already
booked a spot for the Quarterfinals and they are currently on top of Group E,
together with also perfect Iran. Kuwait fell to 1-3 record, but still with a
chance to advance.
Yang Hee-Jong (194-F-84) led the winners with 16 points.
Kang Byung-Hyun (192-G-85) had 14 and
Yang DongGeun (182-G-81) added 11 pts, plus 6 boards. Kuwait got 18 points
and 5 rebounds from
Shayee Saeed (180-G-86).
Mohammad AlMutairi (202-F/C-80) delivered 14.
Group F
China - United Arab Emirates
82-59
Another great performance by the hosts of AsiaBasket 2009 championship. Now
China jumped to 4-0 and it will fight with Jordan and Lebanon for the first
place in Qualifying Group F. At this moment Jordan is also unbeaten. UAE dropped
to 1-3 and it will have to work very hard until the end in order to reach the
Quarterfinals.
Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) stepped up for China registering double-double, 18
points and 11 rebounds.
Yue Sun (206-G/F-85, agency:
Passing Lane) and
Du Feng (207-C/F-81) posted 13 points each, while all other players had less
than 10. In UAE,
Rashed Alzaabi (190-F-88) was on fire netting 20 points (also had 6
rebounds).
Jasim Abdalla (205-C-88) had 12 and
Ali AlHattawi (202-C-79) scored 11 pts.
Qatar - Lebanon
63-73
Lebanon celebrated 73-63 win against Qatar today staying in the race for
position No.1 in Qualifying Group F. Two top ranked teams currently are
undefeated China and Jordan. At the same time, Qatar fell to 2-2 in the same
pool but still with nice chance to reach AsiaBasket 2009 Quarterfinals.
Matt Freije (206-F-81, agency:
Priority Sports, college:
Vanderbilt)
once again led Lebanon collecting 15 points.
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency:
Pro Management Agency) had 13 pts, 6 boards and 6 assists, while
Rony Fahed (182-G-81, agency:
Pro Management Agency) and
Jean Abdel-Nour (198-G/F-83) delivered 10 points each.
Saad Abdulrahman Ali (193-F-85) shined in defeat with 14 points. He was
followed by
Erfan Ali Saeed (200-F-83), 11 pts and 5 boards.
Kazakhstan - Jordan
80-98
Jordan cruised past Kazakhstan in Tianjin celebrating fourth consecutive win.
The same 4-0 record also has China in Group F and these two teams already
secured participation in AsiaBasket 2009 Quarterfinals. Kazakhstan dropped to
1-3, but still with a tiny chance to do the same.
Rasheim Wright (194-G-81, college:
District of Col.) this time was a key player in Jordan with 29 points and 4 rebounds.
Zaid Abbaas (203-F-83) had 21 and
Osama Daghles (199-G-79, college:
Midwestern St.) posted 17 pts.
Alexandr Tyutyunik (198-G-90) and
Anton Ponomarev (209-C-88, agency:
Court Side)
combined 48 points and 13 rebounds in loss. All other players were way below
their level.
SOME HEAD TO HEAD COMPARISON BETWEEN LEBANON AND
QATAR FROM THE FIRST ROUND - Aug. 9, 2009 Some Head to
Head comparison btw lebanon and Qatar from the first round:
* Lebanon was able to make 99.3 Points per game against 77.7 for Qatar.
* Lebanon was able to make 43 Rebounds per game against 38.3 for Qatar.
* Lebanon was able to make 18.7 Assist per game against 11.3 for Qatar.
* Lebanon field goals from 2pts were 60.4 % against 48.8% for Qatar.
* Lebanon field goals from 3pts were 43.7 % against 34% for Qatar.
* Lebanon field goals from Free throw were 65.2 % against 66.7% for Qatar
* Matt is ranked third among the score leader averaging 18.7 points per game in
25.3 minutes.
* Fadi is ranked fifth among the score leader averaging 18.3points per game in
26.3 minutes.
* Vromanis ranked eleventh among the score leader averaging 15 points per game
in 28 minutes.
* Brian Beshara-Feghali (204-F-77, agency:
Pro Management Agency, college:
LSU) is
ranked sixteenth among the score leader averaging 14.3 points per game in 24.3
minutes
DAY THREE ROUND UP: KAZAKHS SURVIVE INDIA SCARE AS
FANCIED TEAMS ADVANCE - Aug. 8, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - India brightened up
Saturdays proceedings with a fourth quarter surge, but fell short at the post,
losing 72-74 in a needle Group C game on Saturday.
Defending champions Iran, hosts China, last editions bronze medalists Korea and
West Asian powerhouse Jordan all won their third game in a row on the concluding
day of the preliminary round, as the eight-final round line-up was drawn.
In Group C, China took the top place with a clinical 92-61 victory against 2005
FIBA Asia Championship bronze medalists Qatar.
Jordan opened the day carving out a 79-67 win against Indonesia and last
editions silver medallists Lebanon closed the day outplaying Indonesia 123-36.
Both those games came in Group D.
In Group A, Japan notched their first win, and booked a place in the eight-final
beating Sri Lanka 148-45 and Korea deflated an enthusiastic Philippines 69-56 to
take the top place.
Group B saw Iran, improving with every outing, handing down a 94-46 drubbing to
Kuwait after Chinese Taipei had rolled past Uzbekistan 102-78.
Group A
Yusuke Okada returned a game-high 30 points as Japan outscored Sri Lanka by more
than 20 points in each quarter
Okada scored all his points in three-pointers, converting 10 of his 17
three-pointer attempts, failing in the lone two-pointer attempt.
Tomoo Amino had 25 points and pulled down a game-high 12 boards.
For Sri Lanka, Chamath Danawansa was the only player to score in the
double-digits with 10 points.
Yang Heejongs 14 points showed the way for Korea, who led throughout the game,
against Philippines.
Oh Sekeun and Kim Minsoo chipped in 11 points each.
Cyrus Baguio was Philippines highest scorer with a game-high 16 points.
Group B
Samad Nikkah and Hamed Afagh replaced each other during the game -- and both had
a telling effect on the proceedings during their presence.
Samad, who sat out the entire second and fourth quarters had a 57% record in
shooting (8/14) including a 5/10 in long rangers, for his 21 points.
And Afagh who took to the court in Samads place, converted five of his 10
three-pointer attempts in a 7/12 field record for his 20.
Hamed EHadadi collected eight rebounds to go with his eight points.
Kamrani effected two assists to add value to his 12 points.
With 10 points each, Rashed Alrabah and Mohammad Ashkanani shared the top score
for for Kuwait.
Chang Tsung-Hsieh was the leader of Taipeis scoring against the outmatched
Uzbekistan with 22 points, with another Chang Chang Chih-Feng contributed 13. Wu
Tai-Ho had 15.
Uzbek Aleksandr Kozlov had a game-high 25 points in a losing cause.
Group C
India trailed 49-61 going into the fourth quarter, but a 23-13 surge in the
final ten minutes saw them scare the daylights off their rivals.
Vishesh Bhriguvanshi scored eight of his game-high 26 points in the fourth
quarter and Jayram Jat accounted for eight out of his 11 points of the game in
the same time to launch the Indian counter-offensive.
Ironically enough, Jat faltered with free-throws on two occasions and
Bhriguvanshi missed once
Anton Ponomarev was Kazakhstans leading scorer with 18 points, with Rustam
Yargaliyew contributing 17.
China had no such trouble.
Wang Zhi Zhi came off the bench to support the efforts of Yi Jianlian, Zhu
Fangyu and Liu Wei as the hosts rolled into the eight-final round without
raising much sweat in their bid to regain the title.
Wang Zhi Zhi collected a game-high eight rebounds to go with his 15 points. Liu
also scored 15, with an incredible 6/9 shooting record, including converting
thrice in five attempts in three-pointers.
Yi scored 12, with a 55% shooting record (6/11) in the field.
Zhu contributed 12 points and Wang Shipeng scored seven of his 14 points in the
fourth quarter.
Mustafa Elsayed and Omar Salem helped Qatar kept the scoreboard ticking, there
was not much support to their effort, in terms of scoring.
Elsayed led the scoring for the game with 16 points, and pulled down seven
rebounds. Salem had 13.
Group D
Zaid Abbas and Rasheim Wright were the lead campaigners in the Jordanian cause
against UAE.
Zaid Abbas led the scoring with a double-double 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Wright, with a 58% (7/12) record in field attempts returned 15 points.
After allowing UAE to call the shots in the first quarter, when they trailed
14-18, Jordan reeled in seven points in quicksilver fashion to go ahead 22-18
and didnt look back.
Mohammad Hadrab scored al his 11 points for Jordan in the fourth quarter, to
make it even more difficult for UAE.
UAE, as a consolation took the individual scoring honours for the game with
Talal Alnuaimi scoring 18 points and Rashed Alzaabi 17.
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency:
Pro Management Agency) led the game in scoring 29 points and rebounds nine,
including five in offence in Lebanons big win.
Matt Freije chipped in with 24 points and pulled down eight rebounds, as Jackson
Vroman rested the game.
Brian Feghali had 22 points.
Nyoman Indrawan was Indonesias highest scorer with nine points.
Eight-final groupings
Group E: Korea, Philippines, Japan, Iran, Chinese Taipei, Kuwait.
Group F: China, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Lebanon, UAE.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
Last day of Preliminary Round in Tianjin - Aug. 8, 2009
Group A
Philippines - South Korea
56-69
South Korea ended preliminary Round in Tianjin perfect. After two wins against
Japan and Sri Lanka, Koreans outplayed Philippines today for position No.1 in
Group A. Philippines dropped to second place, but also advanced to the next
stage. They will together with Japan, Iran, Taiwan and Kuwait create a new Group
E. Yang Hee-Jong (194-F-84) stepped up for South Korea today with 14 points and
7 rebounds.
Oh Sekeun (201-C-87) and
Kim Min-Soo (204-C-82) posted 11 points each.
Cyrus Baguio (188-G-80) shined in loss with 16 points. All other players in
Team Philippines had less than 10.
Sri Lanka - Japan
45-148
Japan destroyed Sri Lanka in the last game of Preliminary Round ending it with
1-2 record in Group A. It means that Japan is going to new Group E, together
with South Korea, Philippines, Iran, Taiwan and Kuwait. Sri Lanka continues in
Classification Round.
Yusuke Okada (185-G-84) was on fire in victory scoring 30 points (10
triples).
Tomoo Amino (196-F/G-80) had 25 points and 12 rebounds, while
Kosuke Takeuchi (205-C/F-85) added 21 pts and 11 boards. In the loosing
squad
Chamath Danawansa (-83) provided 10 pts. All other players in this defeat
had les than 8 pts.
Group B
Kuwait - Iran
46-94
The defending champion did not have any troubles to beat Kuwait today and to
remain undefeated in Tianjin. Iran advanced to the next round as No.1 of Group B
(3-0), while Kuwait did the same but as No.3 (1-2). They are placed to new Group
E together with Taiwan, South Korea, Philippines and Japan.
MohammadSamad Nikkhah (199-G/F-83, agency:
ACMT)
led Iran today with 21 points and 5 rebounds for 17 minutes.
Hamed Afagh (192-G-83) got 23 minutes collecting 20 points and 4 boards.
Rashed AlRabah (189-F-87) and
Mohammad Ashkanani (193-F-84) delivered 11 pts for Kuwait.
Uzbekistan - Taiwan
78-102
Taiwan was too strong fro Uzbekistan today in Tianjin ending the Preliminary
Round as No.2 in Group B (2-1). Taiwan will together with Iran, Kuwait, South
Korea, Philippines and Japan create a new group E. Uzbekistan failed to advance
(0-3) and it will fight for 13th place on this event.
Tsung-Hsien Chang (190-F-88) top-scored in victory with 22 points.
Wu Tai-Hao (206-C-85, college:
BYU-Hawaii)
followed with 15 and
Chang Chih Feng (183-G-81) netted 2 points less.
Aleksandr Kozlov (202-F-82) delivered 25 pts in loss.
Ildar Safarov (207-C-85) contributed with double-double, 25 pts and 5 rebs.
Group C
China - Qatar
92-61
China closed the Preliminary Round in Tianjin with victory. That is third
consecutive win for the hosts and they are No.1 in Group C. Qatar is No.2 and
both advanced to the next stage. There China will together with Qatar,
Kazakhstan, Jordan, Lebanon and UAE will compete in Group F.
Liu Wei (205-F-85) and
Wang Zhizhi (214-C-79) top-scored in victory with 15 points each (Wang had 8 more
rebounds).
Wang Shipeng (197-F/G-83) delivered 14 pts. In Team Qatar,
Mustafa ElSayad (206-F/C-82, college:
Fresno St.)
netted 16 points. Omer Abgader Salem had 3 less.
India - Kazakhstan
72-74
Kazakhstan grabbed crucial 74-72 win against India advancing to the next stage.
As a reminder, both teams entered to this game winless. Now Kazakhstan will move
up to Group F, while India goes to Classification Round for 13th-16th place.
Anton Ponomarev (209-C-88, agency:
Court Side)
was a key player in Kazakhstan with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
Rustam Yargaliyew (195-F-86) had 17 and
Dmitriy Gavrilov (201-F-86) added one point less. In India,
Vishesh Bhriguvanshi (192-G-91) was totally the best netting 26 pts.
Jayram Jat (189-G/F-81) contributed with 11.
Group D
Indonesian - Lebanon
36-123
As it was expected, Lebanon registered easy win against Indonesia advancing to
Qualifying Round as No.2 of Group D (2-1). Lebanon will now be transferred to
Group F, together with Jordan, UAE, China, Qatar and Kazakhstan. On the other
side, Indonesia goes to Classification Round for 13-16 place.
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency:
Pro Management Agency) again was the best player in Team Lebanon with 29 points
and 9 rebounds.
Matt Freije (206-F-81, agency:
Priority Sports, college:
Vanderbilt)
had 24 pts and 8 boards, while
Brian Beshara-Feghali (204-F-77, agency:
Pro Management Agency, college:
LSU)
added 22 pts. Indonesia did not have any player with double-digits in scoring.
The best one was
Ponsianus Indrawan (-85) with 9 pts.
United Arab Emirates - Jordan
67-79
Third appearance and third consecutive win for Jordan. This time it was little
bit tougher win than it was expected. Anyway both, Jordan (3-0) and UAE (1-2),
advanced to the next stage. There in Group F also will be Lebanon, China, Qatar
and India.
Zaid Abbaas (203-F-83) once again was the best player in victory collecting
16 points and 12 rebounds.
Rasheim Wright (194-G-81, college:
District of Col.) had 15 pts and 7 boards, while
Mohammad Hadrab (201-F-84) added 11 pts and 9 rebs. UAE got the most from
Talal AlNuaimi (180-G-88), 18 pts.
Rashed Alzaabi (190-F-88) posted 17 pts.
Summary of Day 2 in Tianjin - Aug. 7, 2009
Group A
South Korea - Sri Lanka
122-54
South Korea had an easy job today against Sri Lanka jumping to 2-0 record in
Preliminary Group A. It means that Koreans already booked a spot for the next
stage on FIBA Asia Championship 2009.
Lee Kyu Sup (198-F-77) shined in victory
draining 28 points. He made 8 of 15 attempts from behind the arc.
Bang Sung-Yoon (197-F/G-82) was second scorer
of the team with 24, while
Kang Byung-Hyun (192-G-85) helped with 18
points. In the loosing squad, only
H.H. Yasarathne De Silva (-86) was in a game
mood. He scored 14 points for 21 minutes. His Sri Lanka remains winless after two
games.
Japan - Philippines 69-78
Philippines grabbed the second straight win in Tianjin securing a spot for Qualifying Round.
With this win they have a chance to end Preliminary Stage as No.1 in Group A.
That will happen if they beat South Korea tomorrow. On the other
side, Japan will meet
Sri Lanka
and the winner of that game will also go to the next stage. The loosing squad
will be transferred to Classification Round. Joachim Thoss
(203-C-81) shined for the winners with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Pauliasi Taulava
(206-C-73, college: BYU-Hawaii)
also was good with 11 pts and 8 boards, while Willie Miller
(180-G-77) added 10. Japan got the most from Daiji Yamada
(200-C-81), 16 pts and 11 rebounds. Kosuke Takeuchi
(205-C/F-85) stopped on 14 pts and 13 rebs.
Group B
Iran - Uzbekistan
82-61
Second win for Iran for top of Preliminary Group B after 2 days. Kuwait and
Taiwan are on second and third place with 1-1, while Uzbekistan remains winless.
With this win the defending champion booked a ticket for the next stage.
Mahdi Kamrani (180-G-82, agency:
Huss Sport Agency) this time was a key player in Iran collecting 23 points and 5
rebounds.
MohammadSamad Nikkhah (199-G/F-83, agency:
ACMT)
scored 18 and Javad Davari added 12 pts.
Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85, agency:
Agency No 10) stopped on 8 pts in this game.
Vyacheslav Denisov (190-F-83) and
Evgeniy Shatrov (192-G-86) combined 25 points in loss.
Taiwan - Kuwait
73-51
Taiwan
garbed the first win on FIBA Asia Championship 2009 for 1-1 record in
Preliminary Group B. Kuwait was better than Uzbekistan
yesterday but it now has the same numbers (1-1).
Yang Chin-Min (188-G-84) was a key player in
Taiwan scoring 24 points and pulling
down 5 rebounds. He was unmistakable for FG2 making all of his 9 attempts.
Chang Chih Feng (183-G-81) and
Lee Hsueh-Lin (175-G-84) added 11 points each.
Kuwait had only one player with
double-digits in scoring. That was
Mohammad Ashkanani (193-F-84) with 13 points
(also grabbed 6 boards).
Group C
Kazakhstan - China
56-74
The host of FIBA Asia Championship 2009 registered second consecutive win. After
121-49 against India
yesterday, Team China was too
strong for Kazakhstan today 74-56 booking a spot
for the next stage. On the other side, Kazakhstan fell to 0-2 in this Group
(C). Wang Zhizhi (214-C-79) was the leading player
in victory with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) followed him with 17
pts and 10 boards, while
Wang Shipeng (197-F/G-83) added 15 points. In
the loosing squad,
Anton Ponomarev (209-C-88, agency:
Court Side) delivered 15 points and grabbed 8
boards.
Rustam Yargaliyew (195-F-86) scored 14.
Qatar - India
95-70
Qatar grabbed second consecutive win at the FIBA Asia Championship 2009.
Yesterday,
Qatar was better than
Kazakhstan and today they
outplayed India 90-75. Qatar will meet China tomorrow
in the battle for position No.1 in Group C. On the other side,
India will play against
Kazakhstan and the winner of that
game will advance to the next round.
Daoud Daoud (193-G-82) had 20 and
Saad Abdulrahman Ali (193-F-85) shined with 2
points less, plus 5 rebounds.
Mustafa Elsayad (-82) added 15 pts.
Talwinderjit Singh (182-G/F-86) top-scored in
loss with 17 points.
Vishesh Bhriguvanshi (192-G-91) had 16.
Group D
Lebanon - United Arab Emirates
108-38
After nice 68-63 win against Indonesia, UAE faced with disappointing loss
again Lebanon today. The strong Lebanese NT
was a way better registering the first win at the FIBA Asia Championship 2009.
So both teams are on 1-1 now and both secured place for the next round.
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency:
Pro Management Agency) and
Jackson Vroman (208-C/F-81, college:
Iowa St.) shined in victory with 19 points and
7 rebounds each.
Matt Freije (206-F-81, agency:
Priority Sports, college:
Vanderbilt) helped with 15 pts and also 7
boards. In Team UAE, only
Talal AlNuaimi (180-G-88) was able to compete
against
Lebanon scoring 13 points. All other
players had less than 9 and just 6 managed to score in loss.
Jordan - Indonesian
105-47
As it was expected, Jordan
was way better than Indonesia securing a place for the
next stage even one day before the end of Preliminary Round. Jordan now has 2-0 in Group D, while
Indonesia fell to 0-2.
Islam Abbaas (201-C-80) was totally the best player in victory. He
spent 23 minutes on the floor registering monster double-double, 23 points and
11 rebounds.
Mohammad Hadrab (201-F-84) had 16 pts and 10
rebounds, while
Jamal Almaaytah (213-C-81, agency:
Passing Lane, college:
Greensboro) also had double-double, 12 pts and
11 boards. Indonesia did not have any player
with double-digits in scoring. Their best one was
Kelly Purwanto (-G-83) with 8 pts.
DAY ONE ROUND-UP: CHAMPS IRAN SURVIVE OPENING
BLUES;JORDAN SWEEP LEBANON AS CHINA POST BIG WIN - Aug.
6, 2009 TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship): Defending champions
Iran scraped through to a 71-67 win, surviving a serious Chinese Taipei threat
to their campaign in Group B as Jordan and Korea scored psychologically
important wins over their fellow regional rivals to set the ball rolling for the
25th FIBA Asia Championship on Thursday.
Last edition's bronze medallists Korea led throughout and ran fellow East Asia
nation Japan roughshod before winning 77-62, in group A. In another Group A game
- the opening game of the Championship, Philippines handed down a couple of
lessons to Sri Lanka while posting a 115-31 win.
Jordan's 84-67 win over cross-border rivals Jordan came in Group D, as did
United Arab Emirates' 68-63 triumph against Indonesia.
Hosts China carried too many guns to outplay India 121-49 and Qatar outsmarted
last edition's semifinalists Kazakhstan 77-62, in Group C.
Group A
Philippines, who had finished ninth in the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship in
Tokushima, scored the first eight points of the game and cruised along
thereafter.
Sri Lanka, playing in the FIBA Asia Championship after a gap of 14 years - the
island nation's last appearance came in the 1995 edition at Seoul - struggled
with their scoring rhythm and returned a woeful 19% in field attempts.
Jared Dillinger led Philippines' scoring with a game-high 21 points, and
collected 11 rebounds.
Japan breathed close on Korea's heels, but the introduction of the giant centre
Ha Seung-jin midway through the first quarter, which tilted the scales in
Korea's favour.
Ha, in combination with Yang Heejong launched 13-2 spree and Korea didn't look
back.
Yang Heejong led the scoring for the game with 23 points, and Ha, with a 5/5
field record had 12 points.
Daiji Yamada came off the bench and led the scoring for Japan, with 23 points.
Group B
Iran were far from their cohesive best as they huffed, puffed and scratched the
bottom before beating Chinese Taipei.
Memphis Grizzlies centre Hamed EHadadi returned a double-double - scoring 19
points and collecting 11 rebounds for Iran. Spearhead Samad Nikkah Bahrami led
the scoring for the game - with 22 points - pulled down seven rebounds, and
effected a game-high 11 assists.
'It was the first game and they (Taipei) have never been an easy side,' Samad
said.
'I hope we can improve a lot in the way we play as we get along in the
tournament,' he added.
Wu Tai-Ho was the leader of the Taipei cause with 16 points, but his efforts
went in vain against a more experienced outfit.
Kuwait trailed 50-54 at the end of the third quarter, but outscored Uzbekistan
19-10 to inch towards a place in the eight-final round.
Aleksandar Kozlov was the highest scorer in the game with a game-high 25 points,
but fought a lonely and therefore a losing battle for Uzbekistan.
Rashed Alrabah was the leading scorer for Kuwait, with 19 points and Mohammad
Ashkanani 14 points.
Group C
Qatar and Kazakhstan fought on even keel before Qatar made their move late in
the first half to avenge their 76-77 defeat suffered in last year's FIBA Asia
Stankovic Cup in Kuwait.
Saad Ali was the highest scorer for Qatar, and in the game, with 20 points.
Yaseen Ismail contributed 13 and pulled down eight rebounds.
Tyutyunik was the highest scorer for Kazakhstan with 19 points as Anton
Ponomarev was restricted to only seven shots at the goal, for his 11 points.
China, Kazakhstan's opponents next, had no such trouble.
Yi Jianlian led from the front with 16 points as the hosts never trailed,
scoring the first eight points and consolidating it with overwhelming
superiority.
By the end of the third quarter, China coach Guo Shiqiang gave his 12 players at
least five minutes each on the court, and 11 of them had scored.
Su Wei came off the bench for his game-high 18 points.
For India, Hareesh Koroth was the highest scorer with 14 points
Group D
Jordan trailed only once in the entire game - midway through the third quarter
but that only piqued them to record their biggest scoring spree (14-0).
Lebanese mainstay Fadi El Khatib didn't last even three quarters - ejected for
five personal fouls with about a minute left in the third quarter - and more
importantly was restricted to a mere four shots at the goal. That more or less
told the tale of the game.
Wright led the scoring for the game with 23 points. Idais ended with 15 points
and six rebounds.
Zaid Abbas collected a game-high 10 rebounds to go with his 18 rebounds as
Jordan won the battle of boards 40-31.
American Jackson Vroman, recently naturalized by Lebanon bowed out midway
through the fourth quarter, after scoring merely 11 points, in a 33% field
record.
Mat Freije was the leading scorer for Lebanon 17 points.
United Arab Emirates' win against Indonesia should raise their hopes of a place
in the eight-final round.
Rashed Alzaabi was the leader in scoring for UAE with 19 points, and Al
Alhattawi contributed 17.
Ary Chandra was the leading scorer for Indonesia with 15 points.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
Summary of Day 1 in Tianjin - Aug.
6, 2009
Group A
Philippines - Sri Lanka
115-31
Philippines
totally destroyed Sri Lanka
today 115-31. That was the opening game of FIBA Asia Championship 2009 in Tianjin, China.
Jared Dillinger (191-G/F-84, college:
Hawaii) and his teammates dominated in all
basketball elements jumping to 1-0 in Preliminary Group A. Team Philippines had
couple of players in a game mood, actually six with double-digits in scoring.
Dillinger was the best one with 21 points and 11 boards, while
Arwind Santos (193-F-81) added 16 pts.
Pauliasi Taulava (206-C-73, college:
BYU-Hawaii),
Japeth Aguilar (206-C-87) and
Cyrus Baguio (188-G-80) scored 15 pts apiece
(first two had double-double).
Sri Lanka did not have anyone with 10 or more.
The leading scorer was
Duke Sanjeewa Rajapakshe (-76) with 8 pts.
South Korea - Japan 95-74 South Korea celebrated in the opening day of FIBA
Asia Championship 2009 in
China. The Koreans were better than
Japan 95-74 for 1-0 record in Preliminary Group A. Beside these two teams,
participants of the same pool are Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Yang Hee-Jong (194-F-84) was a key player in
the winning squad today scoring 23 points.
Oh Sekeun (201-C-87) followed with 14, while
Ha Seung-Jin (222-C-85) added 2 points less. In
Team
Japan,
Daiji Yamada (200-C-81) collected 21 points and
5 rebounds.
Tomoo Amino (196-F/G-80) had 15 points and 5
boards, while
Joji Takeuchi (205-C-85) stopped on 14 pts.
Iran
had to work very hard today in order to beat Taiwan
71-67. That is first appearance for both teams on FIBA Asia 2009 Championship
and they are placed to Preliminary Group B. Other two participants of this pool
are Kuwait and
Uzbekistan.
Hamed Ehadadi (218-C-85, agency:
Agency No 10) (218-C-85, agency:
Agency No 10) paced Iran to victory
collecting 22 points and 13 rebounds.
MohammadSamad Nikkhah (199-G/F-83, agency:
ACMT) was close to triple-double 19 points, 7
boards and 11 assists, plus
Oshin Sahakian (202-F-86, agency:
Agency No 10) delivered 11 points.
Wu Tai-Hao (206-C-85, college:
BYU-Hawaii) was better than the others in Team
Taiwan with 16 points and 6 boards.
Lin Chih-Chieh (192-F-82) had 15 and
Tseng Wen-Ting (202-C/F-84) 11 pts.
Kuwait - Uzbekistan 69-64
Kuwait
has a joyful first day at FIBA Asia Championship 2009 in China.
First appearance and valuable win for Kuwait, despite nice performance by
Aleksandr Kozlov (202-F-82), who scored 25 and
grabbed 5 rebounds for Uzbekistan. Kuwait now has 1-0 and Uzbekistan 0-1 in Preliminary Group B, where also
are placed Iran and
Taiwan.
Rashed AlRabah (189-F-87) stepped up for the
winners collecting 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Mohammad Ashkanani (193-F-84) followed with
double-double, 14 pts and 10 boards, while
Shayee Saeed (180-G-86) added 12 pts.
Ildar Safarov (207-C-85) was behind Kozlov in
loss with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
Group C
India - China
49-121
The host of FIBA Asia Championship 2009 celebrated in the opening day. That was
an easy job for Team China,
who blasted India with impressive 121-49.
China and India are together with Qatar and Kazakhstan
placed to Preliminary Group C.
Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87),
Su Wei (212-C-89) and
Hu Xuefeng (185-G-80) were the best players in
victory collecting 16 points and 6 rebounds each of them.
Du Feng (207-C/F-81) followed with 12 points.
In Team
India,
Hareesh Koroth (185-G-84) was the best with 14
points.
Talwinderjit Singh (182-G/F-86) had 11 and
Dinesh Coimbatore Venugopal added 10 points, plus 8 boards.
Kazakhstan - Qatar
62-77
National Team of Qatar demonstrated nice performance in the opening day of FIBA
Asia Championship 2009 in China. Both countries,
Qatar and Kazakhstan, are placed to Preliminary Group C
together with India and the
host China.
Saad Abdulrahman Ali (193-F-85) stepped up for
the winners today nailing 20 points.
Erfan Ali Saeed (200-F-83) also was good
collecting 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Yasseen Ismail Musa helped with 13
points and 8 rebounds.
Alexandr Tyutyunik (198-G-90) responded with 19
points and 8 boards in loss.
Anton Ponomarev (209-C-88, agency:
Court Side) followed with double-double, 11 pts
and 10 rebs. Naturally, Qatar
jumped to 1-0, while Kazakhstan fell to 0-1.
Group D
Indonesian - United Arab Emirates
63-68
It was very exciting game between Indonesia and UAE in Day 1 of FIBA
Asia Championship 2009. UAE celebrated in thriller mostly owing to
Rashed Alzaabi (190-F-88) and
Ali AlHattawi (202-C-79). Now they have 1-0 in
Preliminary Group D, where Lebanon and Jordan are also
placed. Alzaabi top-scored for UAE with 19, while AlHattawi added 17 points and
9 rebounds.
Saleh Khalifa (-89) followed them with 15 pts.
On the other side,
Ary Chandra (-84) responded with 15 points and
5 rebounds.
Andi Poedjakesuma (187-F-80) contributed with
double-double, 13 pts and 14 boards.
Lebanon - Jordan 67-84
Jordan played some tight defense especially on the key players in the rival side
and surged ahead to an 84-67 victory over fellow West Asian contenders and last
editions silver medalists Lebanon in Group D on Thursday.
Rasheim Wright (194-G-81, college:
District of Col.) scoredfour points including a colourful dunk during that Jordanian spree, led
the scoring for the game with a record-high 23 points. Ayman Idais, who
accounted for five points a sizzling three-pointer from almost the centre-line
being the highlight in that third quarter blitz, ended with 15 points and six
rebounds. Zaid Abbas collected a game-high 10 rebounds to go with his 18
rebounds as Jordan won the battle of boards
40-31. American Jackson Vroman, recently naturalized by Lebanon bowed
out midway through the fourth quarter, after scoring merely 11 points, in a 33%
field record.
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