FIBA/Changsha, China
Qatar topped Group D despite suffering a 72-64 defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei in the FIBA Asia Championship here yesterday.
Chinese Taipei had suffered nothing but frustration on the first two days of with narrow defeats to Lebanon and Kazakhstan, results that had already eliminated them from contention for a spot in the next round.
Yesterday, the team played for pride and rebounded with a victory over previously unbeaten Qatar, a team that had already clinched first place in Group D.
Chih-Chieh Lin scored 14 points and Quincy Davis III had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the winners, who will now set out to impress in the Classification Round and finish as high as possible in the standings.
Chinese Taipei trailed by eight points at half-time but emerged from the changing room full of determination and eventually took the lead. They did not go in front for good, however, until Cheng-Ju Lu’s three-pointer with 2:45 remaining in the contest.
Chinese Taipei got to the free-throw line more often, making 14 of 22 attempts compared to a five-of-nine effort from Qatar.
Lu played less than nine minutes but hit three of five shots from behind the arc, including one that put his team in front to stay.
At least one good team was going to miss out on the next round from Group D and it turned out to be Chinese Taipei, who finished behind Qatar, Lebanon and Kazakhstan, respectively. Chinese Taipei nevertheless showed great resolve on Friday, a positive display that will take away some of the sting for their fans. Qatar did their hard work on the first couple of days and now, they will look to reclaim some positive momentum.
Meanwhile, Lebanon endured the heartbreak of a double-overtime setback to Qatar on Thursday but they hit right back and claimed a 91-55 triumph over Kazakhstan to wrap up second place in Group D.
Jasmon Youngblood had 30 points and eight rebounds to lead the Lebanese, who took command of the game when they outscored Kazakhstan, 26-8, in the second quarter and took a 41-24 lead to half-time.
With point guard Jerry Johnson sitting out most of the game to rest a minor muscle strain, Kazakhstan lacked a floor general and finished third.
In Group B, Palestine eased to their third straight victory in their first-ever participation at a FIBA Asia Championship, beating Hong Kong, 85-79.
Jerry Steele’s team, after an upset of the Philippines on Day 1 and a comprehensive victory over Kuwait on Thursday, led from start to finish and led by as many as 23 points.
Imad Qahwash finished with a game-high 24 points for Palestine, whose Jamal Abu Shamala stayed red hot from long range by making four of seven attempts.
Hong Kong still progressed in the tournament as the third-place team in Group B.
Earlier in the day in Group B, the Philippines blew out Kuwait, 110-64.
Kuwait trailed, 11-10, in the middle of the first quarter when coach Tab Baldwin’s squad went on a run to take control of the game. The Filipinos continued to cruise and secured their ticket to the next round where Iran, Japan and India will be their opponents.Jayson Castro was the main spark in the first half for Gilas, who finished second to Palestine.
Qatar’s Ali goes for a shot against Chinese Taipei.
