Lebanon end Japan's run, Korea stop Philippines as Taipei, China keep winning

JAKARTA (2015 FIBA Asia U16 Championship) - Lebanon caused a few ripples to the form-book while handing 2013 FIBA Asia U16 Championship third-place team Japan their first defeat in the competition as China and Chinese Taipei remained as the only two teams to maintain their winning streak.

Another team to suffer their first defeat was last edition's runners-up Philippines who went down to the runners-up of the previous two editions Korea.

All the five teams are, however, assured of their places in the Quarter-Finals.

Iraq and Thailand are involved in a virtual play-off for the No 4 spot from Group F.

Group E too will see a similar situation with hosts Indonesia - who won an all-SEABA battle against Malaysia - match wits with Kuwait.

Kuwait have their task simple and cut out of needing a win against Indonesia.

Group E: Disciplined Lebanon down Japan as Taipei keep winning
Lebanon played well within themselves dishing out some disciplined basketball to beat Japan 84-70 for their fourth triumph in the competition.

The WABA U16 champions broke away from the initial sparring closing the first quarter with 11 unanswered points. Charbel Saad, who scored six of those points, opened the scoring for the second quarter to further Lebanon's lead, which effectively sealed the fate of the game.

Japan staged a rally and attempted to fight back, but never got closer than seven points.

Saad finished with 22 points and a game-high 16 rebounds for Lebanon.

Salim Alaeddine whose long rangers often relieved the pressure for Lebanon especially during Japan's rallies added 23 points, 14 of them coming in the second half.

The defeat didn't affect the Quarter-Finals chances for Japan, for whom Yudai Nishida had a game-high 26 points.

Japan take on Chinese Taipei on Tuesday.

Chinese Taipei recorded their fifth consecutive victory beating Kuwait 80-67.

Unlike their previous starts, Chinese Taipei immediately got into business and their commanding first quarter lead allowed to go into half-time leading 38-25.

Kuwait showed improvement after the break and used a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to just four points by the end of the third quarter.

Taipei bounced back in the fourth quarter and wrapped up the victory.

Wei-Chieh Tang was Chinese Taipei’s leader with 30 points and also 14 rebounds.

For Kuwait, who are now 1-3, Masaed Aloutaibi posted double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds.  Yousef Husain also posted double-double, with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Hosts Indonesia fell behind by double-digits in the opening moments off the game against Malaysia, but fought their way back gallantly for an 81-71 win.

An 8-2 run midway through the second quarter turned the tide in favor of Indonesia and thenceforth there was no looking back.

Hardan Noor Arighi led Indonesia with 20 points.

Malaysia, who are left playing in the 9-12 Classification were paced by Suresh Mahadevan's 19 points.

Group F: China maintain winning streak; Korea stop Philippines' run

Korea showed greats gumption in keeping a feisty Philippines at bay for their 77-74 win.

With the game evenly keeled at 73-72 in the dying seconds of an evenly contested encounter, Lee Hyunjung missed on a four-point play for Korea but Gian Mamuyac's wayward three-pointer followed by Samjosef Belangel's failed buzzer-beater attempt gave Korea their win.

Lee Hyunjung was Korea's highest scorer with 22 points with Shin Minsuk contributing a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Mamuyac and Belangel combined to score 28 of the Filipino points with Tibayan returning a double-double of 17 points and a dozen rebounds.

China scored the first nine points of their game against Thailand and cruised along for a 91-28 win, thus maintaining their unbeaten record in the history of the competition.

Five players scored in double-figures for the three-time reigning champions. Li Xiangbo led the pack with 18 points and half as many rebounds.

Thankrit Limjittakorn was Thailand’s top scorer with 7 points. Thailand are now 1-3 and face the mammoth the task of needing to beat Iraq for a place in the Quarter-Finals.

In a game at the GOR, Iraq outplayed Bahrain 64-44 sending the latter out of the competition, while leaving themselves in a play-off situation against Thailand.

Classification: India take 13th place

India defeated Hong Kong 80-70 to close their presence in the competition with a win and take the 13th place.

Hong Kong will go home with the 14th place ranking followed by Bangladesh who take the wooden spoon.

FIBA