Jordan score over Group D winners Qatar

Agencies/Changsha-Hunan, ChinaJordan took their lumps early on the FIBA Asia Championship but the tough schedule appears to have made them battle hardened.That was the conclusion to be drawn yesterday when they defeated Qatar 84-73.Going up against the Group D winners, Rajko Toroman’s side edged ahead in the third quarter and played with tremendous resolve over the last 15 minutes to claim a vital win.Alex Legion had 22 points and eight rebounds for the Jordanians, who also got very important contributions from veterans Osama Daghlas, Zaid Abbas and Mousa Alawadi.This was a game that Jordan needed to win, not just to fortify their place in the standings but to gain a psychological boost. They could easily have caved in but instead played with purpose against a Qatar side that had been one of the tournament’s best in the Preliminary Round.For Qatar, Ali Saeed Erfan was the standout performer scoring 20 points and notching up 11 rebounds.Meanwhile, Iran and China remained undefeated at the championship after clinching wins on the opening day of the Second Round.The Philippines and Korea also scored important victories but the biggest triumphs of the day arguably belonged to India, who edged Palestine.Amjyot Singh had 32 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals for India as they pulled out a 73-70 win in Group E over a Palestine side that had won its first three games in Changsha-Hunan.The contest had numerous lead changes, the last with 4-10 remaining with a basket from Vishesh Bhriguvanshi that gave India a 62-61 advantage.Singh next buried a three-pointer and India appeared to be on their way to a comfortable victory, yet they had to survive a nervous last few seconds.Jamal Abu Shamala stole an inbounds pass and attempted a long three-pointer but he was off target as India held on.The Philippines won a very difficult game against Japan, 73-66, in Group E.The Japanese built a 10-point advantage with 5:37 left in the first half, 29-19, only for the Philippines, behind inspired play from veterans Jayson Castro and Asi Taulava, to hit back and snatch a 35-33 lead at half-time.The Philippines, who are coached by Tab Baldwin, only really put the outcome beyond doubt after Japan’s Ryoma Hashimoto tied the game for the last time at 64-64, with 2:50 left to play.Baldwin’s side went on a 9-2 run to take control for good.Castro finished with 12 points and four assists.The other Group E game saw Iran, winners of three of the last four FIBA Asia Championships, roll to 111-56 victory over Hong Kong.Mohammad Jamshidi drilled eight of his 11 shots, including four three-pointers, and finished with 22 points for Iran.In Group F, Lebanon led by as many as 11 points but Korea rallied in the second half to prevail, 85-71.Lebanon appeared to be in control at halftime with a 43-32 advantage but Korea outscored Veselin Matic’s side 49-25 in the second half and notched their third win in four matches.Seasoned playmaker Yang Dong-Geun was the spearhead of Korea’s fightback in the third quarter, getting steals, easy lay-ups, and setting his teammates up for scores.Big man Lee Jong-Hyun also had a good outing with 17 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, while Cho Sung-Min connected on three shots from the arc and finished with 15 points.China recorded a convincing 75-62 victory over Kazakhstan.Yi Jianlian and Zhou Qi combined to tally 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots. Wingmen Li Gen and Ding Yanyuhang also stepped up, scoring 12 and 10 points respectively as the hosts notched their fourth victory in as many games.In Classification Round games, Kuwait won convincingly over Malaysia, 83-61, and Chinese Taipei blew out Singapore, 111-65.Hamad Hasan scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Kuwait in their victory while Lei Tien 21 points for Chinese Taipei in their victory.Qatar’s Ali Saeed Erfan scored 20 points in the match against Jordan.