FIBA Asia - Thrillers mark opening of Asian champs

MANILA (FIBA Asia Championship) - Three thrilling encounters were the highlight of the opening day at the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in the Philippines as 14 teams began their journey towards Spain 2014.

Qatar made it clear they are in Manila to play, surging back from a 10-point deficit in the shadows of three-quarter-time to stun Japan 75-74.

Exciting point guard Daoud Mosa Daoud and NBA veteran Jarvis Hayes (20 points, 6 rebounds) got the job done down the stretch for Qatar, while for Japan dynamic guard Kosuke Kanamaru put on a show for the fans with 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting.

No team made a bigger statement on opening day than Korea, who showed enormous grit to hang with China for four quarters and then hold their nerve from the free-throw line to secure a famous 63-59 win.

Veteran duo Yang Donggeun (11 points, 4 assists) and Kim Joo-sung (15 points) steered the Koreans to victory despite the herculean efforts of Chinese mainstay Yi Jianlian, who monstered his way to 23 points and 12 rebounds.

Chinese Taipei made a strong start of their own, prevailing 91-87 over a surprising Jordan team who showed they will be no easybeats despite the absence of Sam Daghles, Zaid Abbas and Rasheim Wright.

Playing without star forward Wen-Ting Tseng to open the tournament, Taipei were paced by the sharp-shooting Chih-Chieh Lin (27 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) and naturalised American Quincy Davis III (18 points, 11 boards).

Not surprisingly, lion-hearted Jordanian Wesam Al-Sous (18 points, 4 assists) led his team, but he received outstanding support from import Jimmy Baxter (30 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) who had struggled somewhat in the lead-up matches.

The tense finishes weren't done there though, with Bahrain and India fighting out a classic that required an extra five minutes to decide a winner.

Just like the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, where they opened with two heartbreaking losses, India could not seal the deal despite holding a nine-point lead with under a minute remaining in regulation.

Behind the brilliance of Mohamed Kawaid (25 points) - who hit the game-tying triple at the end of the fourth period - Bahrain ultimately prevailed 82-80. India were led by Narender Grewal (25 points, 11/16 field goals) and young gun Amjyot Singh (16 points, 14 rebounds).

Hosts Philippines were made to work on opening night before defeating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 78-66, as were Kazakhstan, who fended off a determined challenge from Thailand before running out 81-67 victors.

In the opening game of the tournament Iran showed no mercy for Malaysia, demolishing their south-east Asian rivals 115-25.

The FIBA Asia Championship continues on Friday with two marquee match-ups on the road to Spain, upstarts Korea facing favourites Iran and the Philippines meeting Jordan.

For full and in-depth coverage of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, go to the official website http://manila2013.fibaasia.net.

FIBA