FIBA U18 Asia 2018 Group D Preview

The 2018 FIBA U18 Asia Championship is set to tip off in Thailand this coming Sunday, August 5, where sixteen teams will vie for four berths to the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup. 

This is the first ever FIBA U18 Asia tourney with both Australia and New Zealand joining, and their entry raises the level of competition quite significantly. 

2016 champion Iran returns to the fray ready to defend its title, while 11-time champion China hopes to regain its place among the elite after finishing outside of the top 4 for the first time since 2008.  Both the Boomers and Tall Blacks, of course, will contend for the World Cup berths, while traditional Asian powerhouses Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and the Philippines are also expected to impress. 

Let's continue our coverage with a preview of Group C. 

KOREA

FIBA Boys Rank: 16th
Previous U18 Asia: 3rd place
Size: Average height is 6'4; Tallest players are Cha MinSeok, Kim HyungBin, Yeo JunSeok, and Lee WeonSeok (all 6'8)
Experience: Four players with experience in the 2017/2018 FIBA U16 Asian Championship, Two players with experience in the 2015 FIBA U16 Asian Championship and the 2016 FIBA U17 World Cup
Projected top players:
Lee HyunJung (F)
Yeo JunSeok (C)
Sechan SeoMoon (G)

#u18 #korea

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Outlook: 
- top team in Group D; makes it to the Quarter-Finals
- a contender to qualify for 2019 U19 World Cup

Korea grabbed the final podium spot two years ago with a convincing win over Lebanon in the battle for third place, but they know that if they will return to the top three, they'll need to put forth more effort here in Nonthaburi. With the entry of Australia and New Zealand and the improvement by teams like the Philippines and China, the Koreans should be aware that the top will be crowded with teams who are either bigger or deeper. Still, that doesn't mean that the second winningest country in U18 Asia history have nothing up their sleeves. National youth team veterans Sechan SeoMoon and Lee HyunJung along with fellow NBA Global Camp invitee Yeo JunSeok should make Korea a force to reckon with, while former U16 standouts Cha MinSeok and Moon JeongHyeon should add even more firepower to the East Asian squad. They should have little trouble topping their group, but a likely meeting in the Quarter-Finals either the Philippines or Lebanon against could make or break their campaign.

CHINESE TAIPEI

FIBA Boys Rank: 31st
Previous U18 Asia: 6th
Size: Average height is 6'2; Tallest players are Jonah Morrison (6'8), Lin Cheng (6'7), and Ma Chien-Hao (6'6)
Experience: Two players with experience at the 2017/2018 FIBA U16 Asia Championship, Two players with experience at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Cup, One player with experience at the 2015 FIBA U16 Asian Championship
Projected top players:
Jonah Morrison (C)
Chen Fan Po-Yen (PF)
Ma Chien-Hao (SF)

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Outlook: 
- 2nd or 3rd place team in Group D; makes it at least to Qualification for Quarter-Finals
- a dark horse contender to qualify for 2019 U19 World Cup

Chinese Taipei will be giving up a ton of size in this competition against most opponents here in their group, but that doesn't necessarily mean they will be short on talent. The inside pairing of Jonah Morrison and Chen Fan Po-Yen will be spearheading their efforts on both ends of the floor, while U16 veterans Ma Chien-Hao and Lin Lin should be among their top weapons on the perimeter. By all intents and purposes, the Taipei quintet will sail through rough seas here in Nonthaburi as they will be hard-pressed to beat Korea in group play, and winning against India isn't a guarantee given the Indians' towering frontcourt and their underrated but very skilled guards. The Taiwanese would do well to finish 2nd place in this group lest they face the prospect of having to beat New Zealand in the Qualification to the Quarter-Finals, which is a mountain that may be too tall for them to climb.

INDIA

FIBA Boys Rank: 48th
Previous U18 Asia: 8th place
Size: Average height is 6'4; Tallest players are Princepal Singh, Jagshaanbir Jhawar, and Harsh Tomar (all 6'10)
Experience: Four players with experience in the2017/2018 FIBA U16 Asian Championship, one player with experience at the 2015 FIBA U16 Asian Championship
Projected top players:
Princepal Singh (C)
Harsh Tomar (C)
Sejin Mathew (F)

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Outlook: 
- 2nd or 3rd place team in Group D; makes it at least to Qualification for Quarter-Finals
- a dark horse contender to qualify for 2019 U19 World Cup

India have never finished on the podium here at the U18 Asia level, and though that will likely not change this year, they do have maybe their best chance of qualifying to the U19 World Cup. The only time they finished among the top four teams was more than four decades ago in 1972, but with the promising trio of Princepal Singh, Harsh Tomar, and Sejin Mathew, the U18 Young Cagers are poised to make a lot of noise here in Nonthaburi. Singh, in particular, is one to watch. The 6'10 double-double machine is the only Asian player to have been invited to the 2018 NBA Global Camp, the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) event during the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, and the 2018 BWB Asia Camp in India. No doubt he will be this team's main man. Tomar and fellow frontliner Pratyanshu Tomar will provide support up front, while Mathew, BWB Asia participant Prashant Tomar, and U18 SABA Qualifiers leading scorer Rajeev Kumar are expected to carry the scoring load in the backcourt. The key game for India will be the one against Chinese Taipei. If they win that, they will likely play Thailand or Bahrain in the Qualification to the Quarter-Finals, which means a relatively easy path to the Quarter-Finals, where they will meet either China or the Philippines.

SYRIA

FIBA Boys Rank: 62nd
Previous U18 Asia: n/a
Size: Average height is 6'3; Tallest players are Mhd Al Ghamian (6'8), Michael Gaith (6'7), and Hamzeh Al Zaem (6'5)
Experience: No players with prior experience in any continental level tournament.
Projected top players:
Mhd Al Ghamian (C)
Ahmad Habash (F)
Elias Azrie (PG)



Outlook: 
- 4th place team in Group D; eliminated after group stage
- not expected to qualify for 2019 U19 World Cup

Syria snuck into the U18 Asia tournament with a close win over Jordan in the U18 WABA Qualifiers, but coach Mohammad Haytham Jamil's crew is determined to make a splash here in Nonthaburi. Much will depend on the production of 6'8 center Mhd Ammar Al Ghamian, who was their most efficient player in the U18 WABA Qualifiers with 15.0 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. He should be backstopped by the wing duo of Elias Azrie and Ahmad Habash, who averaged 9.5 and 9.0 points respectively in the same competition. Syria is entering the U18 Asia Championship with tempered expectations, though, so just being able to be competitive should already be cause for celebration for them. Still, even the likes of Chinese Taipei and India would do well to take this squad seriously lest the Syrians pull the rug from under the Taiwanese's and Indians' legs.


Check out all our #FIBAU18Asia Group Previews by clicking on the following!

Group A Preview

Group B Preview

Group C Preview


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Check out the official coverage of the FIBA U18 Asia Championship from the tournament's official website HERE.

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#FIBAAsiaCup2017 Roundup Day 8

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The cast of the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup Quarter-Finals is finally complete after China andJordan secured separate wins on Day 8. Check out all the recaps and highlights from FIBA.com below. 

CHINA over SYRIA, 81-79
Box Scores.

China survived a serious scare from Syria, coming back from as many as fifteen down to prevail 81-79 on Tuesday evening.

It means China advance to play Australia on Thursday in the Quarter-Finals.

China breathed a sigh of relief when Syria's Al Haddad missed two free throws which would have forced overtime, having dominated the fourth quarter 25-11 after appearing down and out following an impressive early display from the Syrian side.

Micheal Madanly did all he could to give Syria a chance, finishing with 35 points and 7 assists, but it would not be enough.

A 10-2 start to the final period got China back into the game, before a Ren three pointer broke the tie to give China a three point lead with 5 minutes remaining and from there they would pull away.

It marks the second time in as many games China have lived dangerously, preventing upsets with big fourth quarter performances.

Gen Li led China with 19 points, with Xiaoyu Liu having 7 assists to go with his 10 points.




JORDAN over IRAQ, 84-70
Box Scores.

Jordan rounded out the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 Quarter-Finalists with a 84-70 victory over Iraq.

It means Jordan will advance to face New Zealand on Thursday.

With neither team able to gain separation, a 14-4 Jordan run, spearheaded by Amin Abu Hawwas over the final 4 minutes of the third period put the victors up double digits and firmly in the driving seat.

They extended their lead to as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter and thwarted any attempts at a comeback from Iraq.

Mohammad Hussein had a monster double-double of 15 points and 19 rebounds to lead Jordan, whilst Mah'd Abdeen joined him with 18 points and 10 assists. Abu Hawwas added 18 points of his own, along with 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

Mohammed Al-Khafaji led Iraq's scoring with 21 points, as Kevin Galloway stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals.



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#FIBAAsiaCup2017 Roundup Day 6

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The results of Day 6 formalized the Qualification to the Quarter-Finals pairings at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup, with Gilas Pilipinas's sweep of Group B the highlight of the day. Check out all the recaps and highlights from FIBA.com below. 

CHINA over IRAQ, 61-60
Box Scores.

China survived a scare to prevail with a 61-60 victory over Iraq to tip off Sunday's final Group Phase action.

With Iraq leading by 9 with just over four minutes remaining, the upset of the tournament appeared to be on, but China refused to go down without a fight.

Ailun Guo caught fire, scoring 10 of his 19 points in the final three minutes to see China through. Han was the only other player in double figures for China with 11.

Omar Alazawi led Iraq with 22 on 8 of 13 shooting, going six of seven from beyond the arc.




PHILIPPINES over TAIWAN, 80-74
Box Scores.

The Philippines topped Group B with a 80-74 win to hold off a relentless Qatar on Sunday afternoon.

Matthew Wright had 11 of his 25 points in the first quarter to get the Philippines off to the start they needed and hit huge baskets throughout, as his squad finished the Group Phase at 3-0.

The Philippines were hot from beyond the arc, knocking down nine of their fifteen triples in the first half in front of a raucous crowd to remain in control.

Qatar kept on fighting, led by Mansour Elhadary, and got back within five in the fourth but were unable to get over the hump, thanks in large part to the play of Wright.

Cruz added 13 points for the Philippines, whilst Elhadary had 23 points and 6 assists for Qatar, and Saad finished with 18.




IRAN over JORDAN, 83-71
Box Scores.

Iran prevailed 83-71 in the battle of the two undefeated teams in Group A.

Another near triple-double from Hamed Hadadi (17 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists), and Behnam Yakhchali's 20-point, 10-rebound double-double proved to be enough for Iran, who finish atop of Group A at 3-0.

Iran took a 43-26 lead into the break, pestering Jordan into 25% shooting, and led by as many as 22, as Jordan were chasing from the early stages.

Mahmoud Abdeen had 22 points and 9 assists to lead Jordan in the loss.




SYRIA over INDIA, 87-78
Box Scores.

Syria joined China in narrowly avoiding an upset with a 87-78 win over India in the final game of the Group Phase on Sunday evening.

Trailing by as many as nineteen early in the third quarter, Ivan Todorovic had 9 of his efficient 23 points in the period as Syria began mounting their comeback. 

Trailing by 8 to open the fourth, Micheal Madanly took over. He had 10 points in the final period, including six straight to give Syria the lead that they would hold on to for the victory.

Todorovic added 14 rebounds with his 23 points, and Madanly finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

Amritpal Singh did a little bit of everything for India with 17 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Amjyot Singh Gill had 12 points and 8 assists, Annadurai top scored with 20 points.

India finish up 0-3 at the bottom of Group A, as Syria picked up their first win at 1-2. They will play the Qualifications to Quarter-Finals on Tuesday.



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#FIBAAsiaCup2017 Roundup Day 4

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Day 4 at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup saw the Philippines, Iran, and Jordan remain unbeaten while China bounced back against Qatar. Check out all the recaps and highlights from FIBA.com below.

CHINA over QATAR, 92-67
Box Scores.

Ailun Guo had a dominant individual performance to lead China past Qatar 92-67 to open Friday's action.

Guo knocked down five three-pointers on his way to 30 points, adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists, as China picked up their first win after an opening defeat to the Philippines. It was not until the second half the Chinese pulled away for good, momentarily falling behind midway in the second quarter before regrouping.

Abdulrahman Saad and Ali Saeed Erfan were the high men for Qatar with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Qatar continue to look for their first win in Group A at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017. 




PHILIPPINES over IRAQ, 84-68
Box Scores.

Philippines recovered from a slow first half to defeat Iraq 84-68 with a dominant third period.

A 26-7 third quarter run, whilst limiting Kevin Galloway's effectiveness, saw Philippines get the cushion they need to stay perfect atop of Group B at 2-0. 

Christian Karl Standhardinger had 16 points and 7 rebounds for the Philippines, whilst Terrence Romeo added 17 points and 4 assists.

Galloway did his best efforts to keep Iraq in it, finishing with 23 points (15 in the first half), 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, but it would not be enough. 




JORDAN over INDIA61-54
Box Scores.

Jordan improved to 2-0 with a 61-54 victory over a much-improved India side.

After a mauling at the hands of Iran in their opener, India bounced back and managed to hang with Jordan the entirety of the game, though ultimately were plagued by turnovers, as Jordan registered 12 steals on the game.

Alawadi had 22 on 9 of 17 shooting and Ahmad Alhamarsheh had 13 rebounds to go with his 8 points for Jordan.

India were led by 17 points from Amjyot Singh Gill and Aravind Annadurai's 6-point, 10-rebound, 2-block effort. 




IRAN over SYRIA, 87-63
Box Scores.

 Iran registered 29 assists on their way to a 87-63 victory over Syria to stay undefeated in Group A.

Hamed Hadadi continued to make his case for one of the best passing big men in the game, finishing one assist shy of a triple double with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists.

Syria struck first just 15 seconds into the game, but Mohammad Jamshidijafarabadi responded immediately with a three to give Iran a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way, pulling away in the second period to extend their lead to 20 by halftime.

Jamshidijafarabadi provided additional support on the ball sharing front, adding 9 assists of his own to go with 16 points, whilst Behnam Yakhchali led the scoring with 25 points on 9 of 13 shooting.

Micheal Madanly led Syria, who dropped to 0-2, with 22 points.




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#FIBAAsiaCup2017 Roundup Day 2

Image from FIBA.

The 2017 FIBA Asia Cup saw a couple of upsets on Day 2, highlighted by the Philippines' stirring win over China and Iraq's unexpected victory over undermanned Qatar. Check out all the recaps and highlights from FIBA.com below.

PHILIPPINES over CHINA, 98-87
Box Scores.

Two years after their infamous Final loss in Changsha-Hunan, the Philippines dealt sweet vengeance against perennial tormentors China.

The Philippines have had a painful history facing China at the continental level, and by all indications, today's game was supposed to be another notch in China's favor. Entering this matchup, China had won 6 of their last 9 meetings with the Philippines at the senior men's level.

The Chinese were bigger, deeper and had significantly longer preparation as they entered the Asia Cup 2017 in Beirut. With 2015 All-Star Five member Guo Ailun leading the way, China were heavily favored against Gilas Pilipinas, who were without prized naturalized player Andray Blatche and who recently lost key center June Mar Fajardo to injury.

As soon as the opening tip of today's pivotal encounter, though, the Philippines were in overdrive. Coach Chot Reyes's wards looked every bit like the favorites. They were throwing triple-teams at China, forcing turnovers, running in transition and hitting their three-point bombs.

The Filipinos channelled all the pent up frustration of the past and turned it into energy that they used to the hilt.

The duo of Jayson Castro and Terrence Romeo proved to be magical again for the Philippines, with Asia Cup newcomers Matthew Wright, Raymond Almazan and Christian Standhardinger also holding their own. Castro had 13 points and 7 assists, while Wright drained 2 triples en route to 12 points. Aguilar, for his part, was a defensive dynamo, recording 5 blocked shots.

This result pushed the Philippines as favorites to top Group B, and it will be interesting to see how they approach their next matches against the Qatar and Iraq.




IRAN over INDIA, 101-54
Box Scores.

Take a look back on the highlights as Iran sent a message to the rest of Group A with a dominant 101-54 performance over India.

Iran jumped out to a 21-point first quarter lead and never looked back, as they faced little resistance from the Indian side.

Hadadi led the victors with 20 points and 8 assists, whilst India were led by Amjyot Singh Gill's 10 points, as the only player in double figures.




IRAQ over QATAR, 75-66
Box Scores.

Iraq registered a huge victory, taking down Qatar 75-66 to put them in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages.

Despite a surge from Qatar in the fourth, Iraq stayed in control from start to finish, led by Kevin Galloway's 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals,

Abdulrahman Saad was Qatar's top performer with a game-high 23 points.




JORDAN over SYRIA, 68-66
Box Scores.

Jordan survived a furious late rally from Syria to prevail 68-66 in the final game of Day 2 at the FIBA Asia Cup.

Jordan appeared to be in control of the contest, before Syria cut a 20-point lead to single digits, even taking a lead momentarily. However, Jordan made plays when it counted to hold on for the win.

Sixteen points from Mousa Alawadi led Jordan, with a game-high 25 points from Tarek Aljabi proving not to be enough for Syria.




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FIBA-Asia Update: Lebanon and Iran Earn 2012 FIBA Asia Cup Berths

Fadi El-Khatib returned to the Lebanese National Team as
the Cedars booked a ticket to the 2012 Tokyo FIBA Asia Cup.

 Lebanon and Iran each earned a slot in the 2012 FIBA Asia Cup (formerly known as the Stankovic Cup) that will be held in Tokyo, Japan. This tournament serves as one of the qualifying legs for the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships, which, hopefully, will be held here in Manila.

Lebanon and Iran will both represent the WABA (West Asian Basketball Association) sub-group in Tokyo. They are the fifth and sixth teams, respectively, to have qualified, following the automatic berths of Japan (as host) and China (as 2011 FIBA-Asia Champion), and the slots earned by South Korea and Taiwan.

Lebanon finished the 5-day WABA Qualifying leg with a 4-1 record, beating all the teams except for Palestine on the last day (mainly because star player Fadi El-Khatib didn’t play, and it was a no-bearing game anyway). Iran also finished at 4-1, defeating all the teams save for the Lebanese. Iran was almost at full-strength here, with Memphis Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi the only one missing.