2013 East Asian Basketball Championships Roundup: Final Day

The Koreans completed a sweep of the tournament after beating the Chinese in the Finals, 

while the Japanese had to keep a pesky Hong Kong team at bay in the battle for third place.

Wang Zhelin (L) found the going tough against
Korea's Lee Jong-Hyun (R).

In the first game, Japan found itself in a dogfight against a very determined Hong Kong five. The game was pretty tight all throughout till the Japs extended the lead into double-figures in the fourth quarter. Kosuke Kanamaru connected on 5 triples on his way to a team-high 28 points. The Panasonic Trian shot a total of 52% from the floor and also grabbed 8 rebounds. Kosuke Takeuchi, meanwhile, anchored the middle for coach Kimikazu Suzuki. Takeuchi finally broke out big time by scoring 22 points and hauling down 15 rebounds in an almost no-relief performance. Hong Kong, for its part, was led by CBA player Lo Yi Ting’s game-high 31 markers. Despite the loss, HK will still advance to the 2013 FIBA Asia Men’s Tournament in Manila.

2013 East Asian Basketball Championships Roundup: Day 4

The Koreans and the Chinese are set to face off against each other in the Finals, while the Taiwanese clinched the last slot in the 2013 FIBA Asia Tournament after surviving a determined Mongolian side in today’s 2013 EABA Championship action.

Park Chan-Hee helped the hometown team push though
to the championship game.

In the first game, Taiwan had to lean on streaky shooting in the second and third quarters before pulling out a closer-than-expected 94-86 win over a vastly improved Mongolian quintet. 5’11 Pure Youth guard Ke Chi-Hao shot a perfect 5-of-5 from rainbow country in this game, including 4 important triples in a pivotal second period that saw the Taiwanese lead after the Mongolians outscored them in the opening canto, 22-21. Overall, Taiwan connected on 59% of its treys, with Doug Creighton and Lin Kuan-Lun hitting 2 and 1 respectively. Curiously enough, star big man Tseng Wen-Ting didn’t score in this game. Heck, he didn’t even attempt any shots, though he did grab 11 boards, and he blocked 3 shots. Jet Chang led the way for Taiwan with 19 points and 9 rebounds. The Mongolians started really well here, with Sanchir Tungalag and Bilguun Battuvshin combining for 14 points in the first period. They struggled in the middle two quarters before mounting an ill-fated rally in the fourth. The 6’2 Sanchir finished with a game-high 30 points, while the 6’5 Bilguun scored 24 markers on top of 11 rebounds.

2013 East Asian Basketball Championships Roundup: Day 3

The Koreans topped Group A by beating Macau, while the Japanese advanced after a nail-biter against the Taiwanese. Also, the Chinese trampled all over Mongolia to sweep Group B.

Li Muhao and the Chinese continue to roll
in the 2013 EABA tournament.
(image from Sohu.com)

In the first game, Japan and Taiwan fought tooth-and-nail till the very end, but it was Team Hayabusa that came out on top, 71-70. By virtue of this win, Japan finishes second in Group A, advances to the semifinals, and books one of the five East Asia seats to the 2013 FIBA Asia tourney in Manila. Taiwan, on the other hand, is relegated to the battle for fifth place against Mongolia and must win that match in order to earn the last ticket to the Manila joust (provided they don’t boycott it, of course). The backcourt duo of Kosuke Kanamaru and Ryota Sakurai led Japan in this one. Kanamaru scored 15 points while Sakurai added 13 markers. Kosuke Takeuchi, who was rested in yesterday’s game versus Macau, also did well with 12 points and 8 rebounds, though he didn’t score any in the fourth period. Four players, meanwhile, scored in double-figures for Taiwan. Jet Chang was aggressive all throughout and was rewarded with a game-high 21 points, while Hung Chih-Shan and Douglas Creighton each netted a dozen markers. Star big man Tseng Wen-Ting contributed 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in the losing effort.

2013 East Asian Basketball Championships Roundup: Day 2

The Koreans continued to roll, while Japan and Hong Kong earned their first wins in Day Two of the 2013 EABA Championships in Incheon, South Korea.

Lee Jong-Hyun slams one home against the Taiwanese.

In the first game, the hosts bucked a slow start to dispose of the pesky Taiwanese, 78-56. Taiwan, led by big man Tseng Wen-Ting and swingman Tsai Wen-Cheng, had a fast start, leading the Koreans, 21-15, after the first quarter. That advantage didn’t last very long, however, as Heo Il-Young and Doo Kung-Min spearheaded a second quarter rally that saw SoKor take the lead into the half, 37-31. Taiwan continued to struggle in the second half as the Koreans pulled away for their second win in as many games. Taiwan, meanwhile, fell to 1-1. Heo hit 3 triples and led SoKor with 13 points, while Doo added a dozen markers. 21-year old 6’7 reserve big man Lee Seoung-Hyun contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds. Tsai was the only one to score in double-figures for the losing side with 13 markers.

2013 East Asian Basketball Championships Roundup: Day 1

Today was the inaugural day of competitions in the 2013 East Asian Basketball Championships (EABC), and it saw a trio of blowouts as China, South Korea, and Taiwan came out as early winners.

Kim Jong-Kyu slams one home as Korea had an
easy time trouncing Japan.

In the first game, Taiwan ran roughshod over Macau, 108-32, thanks to the 28 points of Jet Chang. Chang shot 10-of-17 from the field and added 4 steals for good measure, while Lin Chin-Pang added 17 markers in a supporting role off the bench. Lin Kuan-Lun and Lin Yi-Huei also added 10 points apiece. Nobody scored more than 7 points for the Macanese, who appeared severely outmatched throughout the entire game.