New Zealand, Philippines, India, Lebanon complete cast of U16 Asian Championship Quarter-Finals

DOHA (Qatar) - The Quarter-Finals stage is set as New Zealand, Philippines, India, and Lebanon secured the tickets with their wins today.

Results

New Zealand 107-57 Kuwait
Philippines 83-60 Kazakhstan
India 97-53 Indonesia
Lebanon 78-54 Qatar

Top Performances of Gameday 3

Lokenndra Singh (IND) - 37 EFF, 30 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks
Kushal Singh (IND) - 32 EFF, 26 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks
Jaideep Rathore (IND) - 26 EFF, 27 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals, 6 three-pointers
Mohamed Ndao (QAT) - 26 EFF, 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks
Rayan Hachem (LBN) - 24 EFF, 17 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals
Daniil Severgin (KAZ) - 24 EFF, 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 steals
Julius Halaifonua (NZL) - 22 EFF, 11 points, 10 rebounds, 100 percent shooting
Jacob Bayla (PHI) - 22 EFF, 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 steals
Nic Book (NZL) - 20 EFF, 17 points, 10 rebounds, 66.7 percent shooting
Kris Porter (PHI) - 20 EFF, 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists

Daily Recap

New Zealand were the first team to lock up their spot in the Quarter-Finals from today’s games with an easy win over Kuwait, 107-57.

The twin towers of the Tall Blacks, Julius Halaifonua and Nic Book, were the top performers in this game for the victors, combining for 29 points and 21 rebounds. Halaifonua continues to impress and had a perfect game, going 4-4 from the field and 3-3 from the charity stripe.

In the Quarter-Finals, New Zealand will be facing Iran who topped the competition in Group B.

The next game saw the Philippines blitz their way past Kazakhstan, 83-60.

Gilas Youth started strong with and built a sizable lead in the first half, allowing them to cruise along to the win in the end. The two teams struggled holding onto the ball with a combined 51 turnovers between both teams, but the Philippines were able to convert in transition on their way to the win.

Jacob Bayla had an impressive all-around game with 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 6 steals. Meanwhile, Danniil Severgin matched that with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 7 steals for Kazakhstan.

The win sets up a clash between the Philippines and Australia in the Quarter-Finals. The two teams played against each other in the 2018 edition of the competition and will do so again here in Qatar with a strip to the Semi-Finals and the U17 World Cup on the line.

India claim a win against Indonesia, 97-53, making history in the process.

The two teams went toe to toe in the first quarter, but a 9-0 run in the second quarter opened a gap that India continued to build on towards a crushing win.

There was no stopping the three-head monster of India: Jaideep Rathore, Lokendra Singh, and Kushal Sinngh. Lokendra exploded for what might be the most impressive game among all players so far in the competition with 30 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks.

India’s win rewards them with a spot in the Quarter-Finals where they will face Japan. More importantly, it is the furthest an India squad has advanced at any U16 Asian Championship. Now, they are one more win away from another historic feat - a U17 World Cup berth.

Lebanon claimed the last ticket to the Quarter-Finals with a win over the hosts Qatar, 78-54.

The young Cedars started the game with a 20-9 first quarter and continued to build up the lead until the final buzzer.

The key part of the game was Lebanon’s pressure defense as it forced Qatar to commit 23 turnovers which they converted into 30 points. The effort on the offensive board was important as well, as Lebanon corralled 19 rebounds on the offensive end for a total of 22 second-chance points.

The stars in this game for Lebanon were Rayan Hachem (17 points), Karl Chris Zamatta (8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks), and Anthony Nabaa (13 points, 7 rebounds).

Meanwhile, the Ndao brothers shined for the hosts once again. The younger Mohamed had 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 blocks, while big brother Moustapha put in 15 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.

Lebanon now advance to the Quarter-Finals where they will play against Korea, where they will play for an opportunity at a U17 World Cup debut.

FIBA