Hosts Qatar booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FIBA U-16 Asian Championship on Thursday. At the Al Gharafa indoor courts, Qatar beat India 87-84 in a thrilling pre-quarter-final match to advance to their maiden last eight appearance. Qatar will now face New Zealand in the quarters today.It was a reverse of results and revenge for Qatar as India had beaten them 77-51 in the previous edition of the competition last year. In that game in 2022, Mohamed Massamba Ndao scored 13 points and Abdullah Yassin Mousa went scoreless.This time, however, the two combined for 60 points to help lead their team into the next round. Ndao continues his spectacular run of performances, posting an EFF of 38 as a result of recording 29 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks while also making 4 three-pointers.Mousa led the team with 31 points while raining in 7 made shots from beyond the arc. Lavish, the returning player from India’s side, had his best game of the competition so far with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists but could not knock down the last-second three-point that could have tied the game up and potentially forced overtime.Jordan, Iran and the Philippines also reached quarters, with Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and China having already sealed their place.Joaquin Ludovice was in fine form as he led the Philippines to a 95-71 win, their first ever against Korea in the history of the competition – and at the youth level in FIBA. The Philippines will face Japan. The two teams played against each other in 2022 with Japan winning 73-67.Jordan will play against Australia after beating Malaysia 70-64. Iran made it to third straight quarters after knocking out Lebanon and will face China today.
September 21, 2023 | 11:59 PM