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LIB / TPE – Lebanon power their way to Group C honors
TEHRAN (FIBA Asia U18 Championship for Men): Last edition’s bronze medalists Lebanon tightened the screws early on and raced away to a 95-80 win over Chinese Taipei and in the process took the Group C top position on Saturday.
Lebanon had beaten Chinese Taipei in the bronze play-off at Urumqi two years ago.
“I think we did our scouting very well,” said Lebanon coach Rizkallah Zaloum.
“We stopped them in their tracks early on and later it became much easier,” he added.
Lee Ming-Hui who had played a crucial part in the Taipei campaign in two earlier games was denied space and was curbed to only one three-pointer in the first quarter.
Lee went on to score 18 points, but the early fumblings put Taipei on the back foot.
Lebanon on the other hand played an all-round game.
“I think we have improved with every game. I can’t expect anything more from these youngsters,” Zaloum said.
Ahmad Ibrahim whose three-pointer clinched the game for Lebanon against Philippines on Friday, led their scoring with 31 points.
Vincent El Khouri came into his own contributing 16 points.
Lebanon now take on China, Kazakhstan and Syria in Group I of the Quarterfinal round.
“China are the team to beat. The rest of us are on almost on par,” said Zaloum looking ahead.
“I think it will all come down to the last minute in most of the games,” he added.
Chinese Taipei hold an outside chance should Philppines lose the final game of the preliminary round to UAE by a huge margin.
Scores
Lebanon 95 (Ahmad Ibrahim 31, Vincent El Khouri 16, Ralph Akl 12) bt Chinese Taipei 80 (Lin Li-Jen 20, Chanj Po-Wi 18, Lee Ming-Hui 18). Quarterwise Scores: 29-19, 46-33, 76-54.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
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