2014 FIBA Asia Cup Roundup: Day 1

Action from the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup kicked off yesterday in Wuhan, China!

The 2014 FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China saw the Taiwanese breeze past the Jordanians, the Iranians defeat the Japanese, and the Chinese humiliate the Indons.

In the first game, Taiwan’s B Team had a surprisingly easy time disposing of a more veteran Jordan five, 85-63. Coach Huang Wan-Lung’s wards leaned on naturalized player Quincy Davis, who asserted himself in the middle with 21 points and 17 rebounds in 34 minutes, to lead the charge. Taiwan-SBL MVP Liu Cheng also did well, dropping 18 markers, grabbing 5 boards, handing out 5 assists, and getting 4 steals for the victors. Peng Chun-Yen, Kevin Hu, and Chou Yi-Hsiang all combined to score 30 points off the bench. On the other end, Jordan, now coached by former Philippine team mentor Rajko Toroman, saw just two players in double-figures. Returning naturalized player Rasheim Wright paced Al Nashama with 21 points, while veteran shooter Wesam Al-Sous hit 4 treys on his way to 15 markers off the bench. Jordan’s two young centers – Ahmad Al-Dwairi and Mohammad Shaher Hussein – both struggled to contain Davis and both actually fouled out.

In game #2, Iran had some trouble in the first half, but the defending champs used a strong third quarter to put enough cushion between them and the Japanese for their first win, 66-56. Behind Takumi Ishizaki and Daiki Tanaka, Japan enjoyed an early lead in the game, but when coach Memi Becirovic’s boys hit their stride in the third, the Japanese could no longer counter. Hamed Haddadi had 12 points and 11 rebounds to lead Iran, while young gun Behnam Yakhchali shot 5/8 from the floor to score 13 markers. Oshin Sahakian was also a picture of efficiency with 10 points and 6 boards. Team Hayabusa was led by Joji Takeuchi’s 10 points. Nobody else finished in twin-digits for coach Kenji Hasegawa. It’s worth noting that top Iranian forward Arsalan Kazemi didn’t see any action in this game.

In the day’s last match, the hosts, China, toyed with Indonesia, 105-37. Even with ace point guard Zhao Jiwei nursing an ankle injury, the Chinese had absolutely no trouble disposing of the Indons. Coach Wang Huaiyu’s wards outrebounded their foes, 60-23, and forced 22 Indon turnovers on the strength of 15 steals. Six Chinese ended up scoring in double-figures, led by Gao Shang and Gu Quan, each of whom tossed in 16 points. Wang Zirui, Makan Kelanbaike, and Gao Shang each hit three triples for the home town team, which canned 41% of its rainbow attempts. Young big man Zhou Qi also dominated, getting 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks in only 15 minutes of play. Indonesia was paced by Pringgo Regowo and Ferdinand Damanik as each of those guys scored 6 markers.

BOX SCORES:

Day 1:

TAIWAN over JORDAN, 85-63

TPE 85 - Davis 21, Liu 18, Peng 12, Hu 10, Chou 8, Chen H 5, Chang 4, Chen Y 3, Lee 2, Lu 2, Lin 0, Chen K 0

JOR 63 - Wright 21, Al-Sous 145, Abdeen 6, Abu-Qoura 5, Hussein 4, Eid 4, Abu-Ruqayah 3, Hadrab 3, Al-Dwairi 2, Al-Hamarsheh 0, Al-Awadi 0

QS: 19-20, 43-34, 65-52, 85-63