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| Marcus Douthit's monster game helped the Pinoys barge into the Jones Cup Semis. (image from basketball-tpe.org) |
SMART-GILAS PILIPINAS over JAPAN, 94-78
PHL 94 - Douthit 32, Hontiveros 14, Lassiter 11, Tiu 11, Lutz 9, Barroca 8, Aguilar 7, Taulava 2, Ballesteros 0, Baracael 0
JPN 78 - Matsui 27, Nishimura 11, Okada 9, Hinkley 8, Ota 7, Shonaka 5, Togashi 5, Ito 4, Arao 2, Kamata 0, Noguchi 0, Sakai 0
QS: 24-20, 44-49, 65-68, 94-78
- Gilas needed a strong 4th quarter wind-up to dispose of the pesky Japanese, who were led by KJ Matsui's 27 points, which were highlighted by his 8-of-8 shooting from rainbow country.
- DonDon Hontiveros led the Filipinos' stirring run in the last period, where he scored 12 of his 14 points.
- With the win, Gilas clinches a semifinals spot at 5-2, which is good for 2nd place since they beat the Iranians on opening day. Gilas will face Iran once again tomorrow for a spot in the Jones Cup FInals.
- Japan exits the tournament at 3-4, but not after impressing a lot of people with their quickness, grit and shooting. The highlight of their campaign was surely the 17-point upset of the Jordanians.
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| Takeki Shonaka was a revelation in the week-long tournament. (image from basketball-tpe.org) |
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| Chris Lutz helped Smart-Gilas hang with Japan in the 1st half. (image from basketball-tpe.org) |
I.R. IRAN over JORDAN, 68-67
IRN 68 - Haddadi 13, Veisi 12, Davarpanah 11, Sahakian 10, Davari 10, Davoudi 6, Kardoust 4, Kamrani 2, Nabipoor 0
JOR 67 - Al-Khas 17, Wright 15, Abbas 14, Dahglas 14, Abbaas 3, Abu Ruqayah 2, Soobzokov 2, Abu Quora 0, Al-Sous 0
QS: 11-15, 28-32, 45-45, 68-67
- This game literally came down to the last shot. Rasheim Wright received a kick-out pass from Sam Dahglas and hoisted a shot from the top of the key as time expired. He missed it as the final buzzer sounded, giving Iran the important win, and a ticket to the semifinals.
- Once again, Saman Veisi came up big for the Iranians as he poured in 12 points, hauled down 6 rebounds and had 2 steals. He backed up Hamed Haddadi, who finished with 13 markers, 13 boards, 6 dimes and 5 rejections.
- Veteran Zaid Al-Khas, who has been used sparingly throughout the tournament, was the surprise top-scorer for Jordan in this losing cause. Losing AJ Zaghab to injury was a big blow to the Jordanians, and if Zaghab's injury proves to slow him down in the coming FIBA-Asia, then Jordan's chances terribly slim.
- Iran's win propels them to third place, right behind their opening day tormentors -- Smart-Gilas. They get another crack the Pinoys tomorrow.
- Jordan bows out after a strong start to the competition. In the end, their resounding wins over Gilas and Korea were overshadowed by this loss and earlier defeats to Taiwan and Japan.
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| Sam Dahglas and the Jordanians are sent packing after the narrow loss to Iran. (image from basketball-tpe.org) |
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| Hamed Haddadi's imposing presence helped Iran advance to the Jones Cup Final Four. (image from basketball-tpe.org) |
MALAYSIA over UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, 100-89
MAS 100 - Kwaan 24, Ooi 19, Chee 17, Ng 15, Loh 7, Wee 7, Batumalai 6, Ong 3, Kuek 2, Ho 0
UAE 89 - Al-Ameri 20, Al-Zaabi 19, Salem 13, Al-Hattawi 10, Omar 10, Ahmed 7, Abdalla 6, Al-Ali 4, Al-Braiki 0, Mubarak 0
QS: 23-23, 43-44, 67-67, 100-89
- Clearly one of the most entertaining games of the tournament, as both teams shot well from the field.
- A few days after being infamous for grabbing Asi Taulava's family jewels, Yoong Jing Kwaan pours in 24 markers in this resounding win for the Malaysians. People were probably expecting them to bow to the taller Emirates, but the Southeast Asians were helped by 11 triples, a +10 advantage in assists, and forcing UAE to 20 turnovers.
- UAE ends the tournament as the only winless team, and though they've gained valuable experience, this last defeat at the hands of the unheralded Malaysians might take a toll on their confidence.
- Malaysia comes out guns blazing to finish the Jones Cup on a winning note. This should definitely boost their confidence heading into the 2011 SEA Games and FIBA-Asia.
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| Rashed Al-Zaabi's hops couldn't help UAE defeat Malaysia. (image from basketball-tpe.org) |
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| Li Wei Chee has been the most consistent Malaysian player in the Jones Cup. (image from basketball-tpe.org) |
SOUTH KOREA over TAIWAN, 110-68
KOR 110 - Cho 24, Kim YH 17, Yang HJ 15, Kang 12, Kim JK 10, Oh 7, Stevenson 7, Yang DG 4, Park 2, Lee 2, Kim JS 0
TPE 68 - Chien 29, Chang 11, Creighton 11, Chen SN 5, Su 5, Yang 3, Lu 2, Chou PC 2, Chou YH 0, Ho 0, Lee 0
QS: 19-16, 49-33, 76-50, 110-68
- With Jordan's loss, Taiwan knew it could afford to lose this game. They consequently rested their stars and chose to give their reserves some needed burn. Needless to say, Taiwan got slaughtered, though young gun Chien Chia-Hung unloaded an impressive 29 points.
- Korea was able to use most of its reserves as well, with snipers Cho Sung-Min and Kim Yong-Hwan combining for 9 triples. Overall, Korea shot a blistering 60% from the field, 58% from three-land, doubled Taiwan's assist total and more than doubled their rebounds.
- Korea clinches the top spot and Taiwan takes the last bus to the semis. That means they'll get an immediate rematch tomorrow evening, where both sides' stars are sure to feature prominently.
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| Jet Chang should figure prominently in Taiwan's basketball future. (image from basketball-tpe.org) |
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| Chien Chia-Hung was the first option against Korea as Taiwan's maing men sat the game out. (image from basketball-tpe.org) |
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