2014 Asian Games Basketball Roundup: Day Three

Basketball action heated up in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea India got back on-track with a huge win over Kazakhstan even as Mongolia and Kuwait figured in a nail-biter for the solo lead in Group A. The results finalized the top two qualifiers from the first round and formalized the groupings in the second round.

India recovered from its Day 2 loss by thumping Kazakhstan on Day 3.

Game recaps:

KUWAIT over MONGOLIA, 82-81

Box Scores

Nayef Al-Rashidi hit 2 free throws after the final buzzer sounded to pull the rug from under Mongolia and give Kuwait its third win in as many games. Consequently, the Kuwaitis swept Group A and advanced to the next round to be grouped with Japan and fellow Gulf nation Qatar. Mongolian fans thought their team had this win in the bag after Sanchir Tungalag hit two free throws to give his team an 81-80 edge with 6 seconds left. Kuwait failed to launch a shot in the final sequence, but a foul was called on Mongolia that led to Nayef’s game-winning charities. Mohammad Abdul-Aziz paced five Kuwaitis in double-digit scoring with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Abdullah Al-Shammari added a dozen markers, 8 boards, 5 dimes, and 5 steals. Mongolia also advances to the next round and is grouped with Jordan and home team South Korea. The Mongolians were led by Tungalag’s 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 triples. He did, however, also commit 12 of his team’s 26 turnovers.

Bilguun Battuvshin hopes to lead Mongolia in the next round.

Abdullah Al-Shammari goes up for the transition lay-up against Mongolia.
(image from the Asian Games)

SAUDI ARABIA over PALESTINE, 89-71

Box Scores

The Saudis ended their qualifying round on a bright note, coming from behind to frustrate Palestine, but it wasn’t enough to tow the Gulf nation to the second phase of the tournament. Despite getting their second win in three outings, the Saudis lost out in the quotient calculation after India defeated Kazakhstan. Still, there are many positives to take from this win. Despite being grossly outrebounded, 55-36, Saudi Arabia was able to compensate by hitting FOURTEEN three-pointers and forcing the Palestinians to commit 25 turnovers. Marzouq Al-Muwallad and Mohammed Al-Sager each dropped 26 points to lead KSA. The pair also accounted for seven treys. On the other end, it was no shocker that Sani Sakanini paced the losing side with a herculean effort – 26 markers, 16 boards, and 2 assists. He played all but one minute of the match, but shot just 7/23 from the floor.

HONG KONG over MALDIVES, 115-45

Box Scores

Hong Kong unloaded all its pent up frustration on the hapless Maldives team to end their campaign in the Asian Games. The Hong Kongers, who finished in the continent’s top ten in 2013, led from start to finish, mounting a 25-point bubble at the end of the first period and never looked back. Eight Hong Kong players scored 9 or more points, led by Wong Chun Wai’s 20 points and 9 rebounds. Cheng Kam Hing also impressed, tossing in 20 markers, hitting 3 triples, and handing out 8 assists. Mohamed Zilaal, meanwhile, was the lone bright spot for the Maldives, scoring a dozen points in 30 minutes. Both teams have bowed out of contention and are headed home.

Unfortunately, Duncan Reid and the rest of HKG are headed back home after a disappointing
1-2 finish in the qualifying round.
(image from the Asian Games)

INDIA over KAZAKHSTAN, 80-61

Box Scores

A day after seemingly putting a disastrous bookend to their Asian Games campaign, the Indians bounced back in a big way, routing erstwhile unbeaten Kazakhstan to not only advance, but also top Group B. Needing to win by at least 15 points to pull the rug from under Saudi Arabia and snare the groups top seed from the Kazakhs, coach Scott Flemming’s wards wasted no time. India led by 10 at the end of the first ten minutes and proceeded to keep Kazakhstan at bay for the rest of the game. Joginder Singh waxed hot from beyond the arc, nailing seven threes on his way to 25 points, while big man Amritpal Singh anchored the middle with 15 markers and 6 rebounds. Vishesh Bhriguvanshi continued to be a consistent contributor as well, dropping 16 points on 7/12 FG shooting. Kazakhstan was underwhelming in this one, never leading and falling behind by as many as 21 points. Strangely enough, Team Captain Rustam Yargaliev didn’t see action, while star forward Dmitriy Gavrilov played just 8 minutes off the bench. The Kazakhs were led by Anton Ponomarev and Dimo Klimov, who paired up for 31 points and 20 rebounds. India joins Iran and the Philippines in Group E, while Kazakhstan will face China and Taiwan in Group C.

Unless otherwise specified, images are from Jumpball.co.kr.