China, Lebanon, Japan, Korea bound for FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup after reaching U18 Asian Semis

TEHRAN (Iran) - China, Lebanon, Japan, and Korea will all represent Asia in next year's FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary.

The four booked their ticket to the global meet by reaching the U18 Asian Championship Semi-Finals, Wednesday at the Azadi Basketball Hall.

QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS
China 88-44 Qatar
Lebanon 99-83 Philippines
Japan 76-60 Chinese Taipei
Korea 66-65 Iran

DAILY RECAP
China was the first to secure a slot to the U19 World Cup following a masterful 88-44 victory over Qatar in the Quarter-Finals opener.

All 12 players scored at least two in the win, with Ma Mingkun leading the way with all-around numbers of 12 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals. Lyu Jiahui had 12 as well, while Li Jiazhe added 10 markers and 6 dimes.

It will be their return to the U19 World Cup after withdrawing in the previous edition in Latvia last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

China will face Korea in the semis in a rematch of their Group Phase encounter yesterday. The latter withstood home team Iran, 66-65, to secure the last ticket to the penultimate phase and the U19 World Cup.

Lee Chae Hyung led the Koreans with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, none bigger than the dime that led to a Lee Juyeong bucket with 30 seconds left to put them ahead for good after losing a 19-point lead early.

Lee finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Yoo Minsoo added 10 points and 9 rebounds as the trio played the full 40 minutes.

Mohammad Amini led Iran with 20 points and 13 rebounds in the heartbreaking defeat as they fell short in replicating their comeback win versus Japan last night. Matyar Ahmadpour had 14 points and 6 assists in the defeat.

It sure is a tough pill to swallow for the hosts as they failed to book a return flight to the U19 World Cup after being one of the Asian representatives in the 2021 competitions, along with Australia, Korea, and Japan.

The Japanese, meanwhile, qualified for the semis following their 76-60 triumph over the skidding Chinese Taipei in the third game of the day.

Shonryu Yaegashi bannered the victors with 19 points as he helped his side pull away in the third quarter for good. Hayato Wakugawa filled the stat sheet with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks.

Japan is on a collision course with Lebanon in yet another Group Phase rematch taking place in the Semis set on Saturday.

The young Cedars were actually the second team next to China to reach the next round following their 99-83 beatdown of the Philippines.

Coming in fresh from a one-day break, Bryan Mansour powered Lebanon with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and assists as they took advantage of a spent Gilas Youth that played their third game in as many games.

Karim Rtail starred in the win as well with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in 40 minutes, while Karl Zamatta added 10 points and 17 boards.

 
It couldn't get any better for Lebanon as they continue to enjoy a string of success this summer -- from the U16 team's qualification to the U17 World Cup, to the men's team copping silver in the Asia Cup 2022, and now this.

Mason Amos, on the other hand, had 11 points and 7 rebounds to lead the Filipino dribblers, who headed into the quarters with a perfect 3-0 record after sweeping Group C only to lose in an important part of the tilt.

TOP PERFORMERS
Bryan Mansour (LBN) 31 EFF 28 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists
Hayato Wakugawa (JPN) 28 EFF 14 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks
Karl Zamatta (LBN) 28 EFF 10 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Ma Mingkun (CHN) 24 EFF 12 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals
Lee Chae Hyung (KOR) 24 EFF 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals
Karim Rtail (LBN) 21 EFF 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 40 minutes

FIBA