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China's Yi Jianlian (L) tries to break through during the match against Jordan at the 2009 FIBA Asia Championships for Men in Tianjin, north China, Aug. 12, 2009. China won 89-83. [Xinhua/Wang Yebiao] |
Four unbeaten teams met on Wednesday night with two teams pocketing No. 1 finishing of the groups into the quarterfinals of the Asian Men's Basketball Championship here.
Yi Jianlian collected 29 points and 18 rebounds to help China snatch an 89-83 win over Jordan when the New Jersey Nets' forward shot 9-out-of-18 in the field and buried 11-out-of-14 free-throws in 31 minutes.
Hamed Ehadadi, 2.18 meters tall, won the battle against the 2.21 meters Ha Seung-Jin as he led Iran to a 82-66 victory over South Korea.
Both China and Iran finished the preliminary round with six wins, with China to face Chinese Taipei and Iran to meet Qatar in the quarterfinals on Friday.
China led all the way from a 8-0 start with Wang Zhizhi chipping in 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds.
Leading 45-34 in the first half, China kept a comfortable lead in the third quarter but let Jordan come within 79-77 midway into the last quarter.
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China's Yi Jianlian (L) shoots during the match between China and Jordan at the 2009 FIBA Asia Championships for Men in Tianjin, north China, Aug. 12, 2009. China won 89-83. [Xinhua/Wang Yebiao] |
Jordan failed to close it again as China had two consecutive three-point plays to lead 87-80. Guard Rasheim Wright led Jordan with 28 points.
South Korea tried to make it hard for the defending champions as they even led 19-18 after first quarter, but Iran's 14-0 run put the game beyond touch on 38-26.
Ehadadi had 21 points, 16 rebounds, six blocks and four assists facing South Korea's pivot Ha, who had seven points and two rebounds.
Hamed Afagh had a game-high 24 points.
Tseng Wen-Ting had 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead six players in double-digit numbers to give Chinese Taipei a 99-79 win over Japan and a berth into the top eight.
After a brief draw back, Chinese Taipei took the lead soon and had the better of the first half by 49-43.
An 11-0 run at the start of the second half offered a 60-45 lead to Chinese Taipei, which need a win to secure the fourth placings of group E.
Lebanon trounced Kazakhstan 105-56 to set up a quarterfinal clash against South Korea.
The Philippines will meet Jordan after defeating Kuwait 85-71, while Iran vie against Qatar, which thrashed the United Arab Emirates 91-45.
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Chinese players Zhang Qingpeng (R) and Sun Yue (C), and Guo Shiqiang, head coach of China's basketball team, celebrate scoring during the match between China and Jordan at the 2009 FIBA Asia Championships for Men in Tianjin, north China, Aug. 12, 2009. China won 89-83. [Xinhua/Meng Yongmin] |
(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2009)
