No surprises on Day 1 as form and fame rules the roost

JAKARTA (2015 FIBA Asia U16 Championship) - Three-time reigning champions China led a day of triumphant results for the favorite teams with all the medalists of the three editions of this competition ensuring form and fame ruled the roost on the opening day.

Group A
Japan began slow and steady, but pulled out a 18-0 run to close the second quarter - which gave them a 47-27 cushion at the end of the first half - and never looked back going on to win 89-49.

Ito Rei, who scored six points during that Japan spurt, finished with 14 points, while Yudai Nishida led Japan's scoring with 20 points.

For the losing team, captain Masaed Aloutaibi had 20 points of his own, while Yousef Husain recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

In the other game of the Group at GOR, Malaysia called the shots throughout the game to overcome Hong Kong 69-53.

Group B
Lebanon played with poise while dashing the hearts of hosts Indonesia in an 83-55 win.

Georges El Beyrouty dominated the inside play for Lebanon setting a cat among the pigeons in the hosts' defense more often than not and Salim Chemali's team coasted along.

Salim Alaaeddine led Lebanon's scoring with 16 points.

In another game, at GOR, 2013 Semi-Finalists Chinese Taipei handed out a couple of harsh lessons to debutants Bangladesh in their 145-31 win.

Group C
Philippines didn't need much time to stamp their control in the game against Bahrain, winning 98-58.

A dozen unanswered points after the initial sparring took care of giving them the initiative and from there, the SEABA U16 champions only grew in confidence and strength.

Five Philippines players scored in double digits. Sean Ildefonso led the pack with 16 points. Fadhel Abdulhusain had a game-high 21 points for Bahrain, 15 of them coming in the first half.

Thailand are the third team in Group C, which is reduced to a three-team affair after DPR Korea's withdrawal from the tournament. All three teams are thus assured of a place in the Second Round.

Group D
China and Korea, who played the Finals of the first two editions of this event, warmed up nicely heading towards a needle Group D clash by winning their opening encounters in contrasting but convincing paths.

China scored the first six points against India and cruised along thereafter in their 116-57 win.

Sitting on a handsome lead at the end of the first quarter, China's assistant coach Craig Simpson who called the plays took the opportunity to give a feel of the court for all his players. All of them scored.

Huang Rongqi was the highest scorer for China with a game-high 22 points, coming off a 9/12 field shooting clip.

India had their moments of glory, albeit sporadic against a far better equipped rival. Baladhaneshwar Poiyamozhi was their leading scorer, the Velammal Matriculation School 11th standard student scoring 18 points.

Korea were tested by a physical and feisty Iraq for a better part of the first half before they came into their own.

A 10-0 run to open the second half brought relief to the Korean camp and thenceforth there was no looking back.

Lee Hyunjung and Lee Junghyun each had 21 points for Korea.

Abdullah Abdullah's game-high 29 points led Iraq.

FIBA