Unbeaten Lebanon, Jordan clinch WABA's first two FIBA Asia Championship spots
AMMAN (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - Lebanon have exerted their authority on the WABA Championship field launched what looks to be an exciting new era for the country's national team.
AMMAN (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - Lebanon have exerted their authority on the WABA Championship field and launched what looks to be an exciting new era for the country's national team.
The Lebanese thumped Iraq 85-67 on Day 1 in Amman and followed that with a 92-74 triumph over hosts Jordan on Saturday.
They moved to within touching distance of a fourth WABA title after a 76-59 triumph on Day 3 over Syria.
Lebanon close in on WABA title after downing Syria: AMMAN: Lebanon moved a step closer to securing their fourt... http://t.co/t7aGtZRapG
— Syria News Links (@dlsyrianews) June 1, 2015
Lebanon and Jordan, who have won their other two games, clinched their places in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship by the close of play on Sunday.
A third qualifying spot at the WABA Championship will go to Palestine, Syria or Iraq.
One of Lebanon's biggest heroes for more than a decade, Fadi El Khatib, set the tone for an impressive start to 2015 for the Cedars.
In their opening win over Iraq, the 36-year-old had 31 points - 17 in the first half.
Our Lebanese National Team won their first game in WABA against Iraq 85 - 67. Best scorers Fadi El-Khatib 31... http://t.co/jQGiGmuB0Q
— Al RIYADI CLUB (@AlRiyadiClub) May 29, 2015
Recently-appointed Lebanon coach, former Iran boss Veselin Matic, lavished praise on El Khatib.
"He is a leader in every sense of the word," Matic said.
On Day 2, Lebanon defeated their biggest rivals in this year's WABA Championship title race, Jordan, with El Khatib pouring in a game-high 27 points.
Matic's team stretched a 38-33 lead at half-time to 72-52 by the end of the third quarter. Jordan, whose exciting new naturalized player Alex Legion scored 22 points, clawed their way back to 79-68 with five minutes remaining but the side coached by Rajko Toroman ran out of steam.
On Sunday, Day 3, El Khatib scored 26 points and corralled nine rebounds and naturalized player Jay Youngblood contributed 21 points and eight boards as the Lebanese romped to a 76-59 triumph over Syria.
Jordan, who began their WABA Championship with a 92-76 victory Palestine after getting 24 points from Legion, 18 from Wesam Al-Sous, 17 from Mousa Alawadi and 15 along with 11 rebounds from Mohammad Hussein, bounced back from their defeat to Lebanon with an 86-71 victory over Iraq on Sunday.
Legion paced Jordan with 23 points in their second triumph.
Palestine are the only other team to have claimed a victory at the WABA.
On Saturday, they edged Syria, 79-73.
Sani Sakakini erupted for 39 points and pulled down 17 rebounds in that triumph for the Palestinians.
That performance came as no suprise because Sakakini had also caused problems for Jordan on Day 1, scoring 29 points and hauling in 11 boards.
On Monday, Lebanon square off against Palestine and Syria meet Iraq, and on Tuesday, the last day of the competition, Iraq open against Palestine and Jordan take on Syria.
FIBA