Doha: Iran and China, who between them have won the gold medal at the last six FIBA Asia U18 Championships, along with Japan came up with complete and comprehensive performances that resulted in convincing victories on the second day of the 23rd FIBA Asia U18 Championship yesterday.
Twice-defending champions China, gunning for their 11th gold medal in the event, came out all guns blazing and annihilated hosts Qatar 89-18.
Iran, the bronze medallists at the last edition of the event, were just as powerful in their performance against Kuwait, who they beat 132-43.
Iran scored the first 12 points of the game and never looked in trouble with all their players putting their names on the scorers’ list — six of them in double-digits. Alireza Ghamari’s 22 points was the highest with Abdolsamad Soroodi adding 20 points.
Japan didn’t field their most experienced player, Ryogo Sumino, at all for the game, but all others played for at least seven minutes each. Taichi Aoki led the Japanese charts with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
India shrugged off their initial slumber just in time and went on to post a 73-64 win over Malaysia in their Group A preliminary round match yesterday to keep hopes of advancing to the further stages of the 23rd FIBA Asia U18 Championship alive.
India, who lost to hosts Qatar on the opening day, now have a game against China and even a defeat in that game should keep India ahead of Malaysia, unless the latter defeat the hosts to force a three-way tie for two slots.
A 11-5 run at the start of the second quarter provided the turnaround for India and Jora Singh’s boys kept their noses ahead all the way after that.
THE PENINSULA
