2016 #FIBAAsiaU18 Roundup - Day 8

Iran is champion again after six years of drought.

Iran returned to the top of the FIBA Asia U18 peak after six years even as Batang Gilas nearly blew its game against the hard-fighting Indians on the final day of the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship. 

*The following also appears on FIBA.com.

Iran reclaimed their spot atop the continent by claiming the title at the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship with a 71-65 victory over Japan. 

Mehran Rezaei led the way with 18 points for Iran while Mohammad Jafari scored 16 points and Amirhossein Rezaeifar picked up 10 points and 12 rebounds as Iran won their first FIBA Asia U18 crown since 2008. It was the country’s third U18 title in all.

2016 #FIBAAsiaU18 Roundup - Day 7

TJ Flores tries to evade the long limbs of Taruike Jianiyou.

Batang Gilas bowed to China anew on Day 7 of the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship. 

*The following also appears on FIBA.com.

Hosts Iran will get a chance to play for the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship title as they raced by Korea to reach the Final against a Japan side who got by Lebanon to advance to their first championship game in 26 years. 

2016 #FIBAAsiaU18 Roundup - Day 6

Kemark Cariño & Gian Mamuyac (PHI).

Batang Gilas started strong but finished flat and got eliminated from contention on Day 6 of the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship. 

*The following also appears on FIBA.com.

Hosts Iran dethroned the three-time reigning champions China in a thriller to reach the Semi-Finals of the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship, setting up a final four match-up against Korea. The other Semi-Final will see Japan take on Lebanon. 

In a game worthy of being a Final, Mohammad Jafari's free throws with 7 seconds left secured Iran a 62-59 victory over China, who had not yet lost in the tournament and now enter the Classification 5-8 round as Tang Jie's three-pointer with 1 second on the clock was off target.

#FIBAU18Asia: Asia’s future stars stamping their class at U18 Championship

Ali Mansour (LIB)
(Image from FIBA)

*This first appeared on my weekly column on FIBA.com. 

A few days into the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship in Tehran, and several players have already wowed us with their skill and grit. Lebanon and Chinese Taipei have turned a lot of heads with their sublime play, while China remain favorites to defend their crown. The story, however, really has been the bevy of up-and-coming players whose stars are sure to shine even brighter even after the final buzzer of this competition has sounded.

#FIBAU18Asia: Oliver laments struggles of the Philippines

Mike Oliver (PHI)
(Image from FIBA)

*This first appeared on FIBA.com.

The Philippines were among the most heralded squads entering the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship, what with marquee names like FIBA 3x3 star Joshua Sinclair and 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship campaigner Jolo Mendoza. So far, however, all the potential and promise of the team known as Batang Gilas have not been able to consistently materialize on the court.

As of this writing, the Philippines carry a losing record — 2 wins against 3 losses. That’s good enough for them to advance to the Quarter-Finals as the third seed of Group A, but, if their current level of play is any indication, Batang Gilas are not expected to go much further.

2016 #FIBAAsiaU18 Roundup - Day 5

Ehsan Samadi (IRI)

Batang Gilas rebounded from their shock loss to Thailand by blowing out India to close out group play on Day 5 of the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship. 

*The following also appears on FIBA.com.

The knockout stage of the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship is set as China are the only team to get past the Group Phase undefeated after hosts Iran handed Lebanon their first loss of the tournament.