Basketball
Defending champions Australia overcome fighting China 89-79 to emerge victorious
Australia proved that they were invincible as they came from behind to pip China 89-79 to defend their crown at the FIBA Under-18 Asia Cup at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday evening.
China got off the block very quickly and led for most part of the first half. Australia, however, came back through the efforts of Yahya Basaran and Jai Fa’ale who sunk baskets in quick succession. Australia led 44-42 at half time.
Australia beat China to emerge FIBA U-18 Asia Cup champions
In a hotly contested second half, China made the Australians struggle as they surged ahead in the 4th quarter before Bailey Hanson scored from the restricted area to help the defending champions close out the game.
Australia tower over Korea, set up final clash against China who down New Zealand 79-66
Australia, China, New Zealand and Korea qualified for the FIBA Under-19 World Cup to be held in 2027.
Yahya Basaran was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.
New Zealand secure bronze
New Zealand had to ward off a stiff challenge from Korea to secure the bronze medal. The Kiwis scored a 102-97 win over Korea, who fought through to the final whistle.
Jackson Ball of New Zealand scores a basket against Korea
In a match, which on expected lines went to the wire, New Zealand led through the efforts of Jackson Ball and Philip Wickham who scored in crucial situations especially in the final two minutes.
The Koreans ran into foul trouble, and the Tall Blacks converted the resultant free-throws to book a place on the podium with a bronze medal finish.
Japan edge Iran to finish 5th
Japan edged Iran 88-83 for the 5th position while Chinese Taipei put out Philippines in the match for 7th place at 89-78.
Japan, trailing 33-36 at half-time, scored 27 against 20 in the third quarter against Iran and held on to the lead to finish in 5th position.
Alex McMillan of Japan in action against Iran
Kaito Nakamura had 12 conversions out of 20 attempts from the 3-point area with three of them coming early in in the third quarter as Japan never looked back after that. Aru Takahashi, Cayman were the others to get into double digit scores.
For Iran, Mohammad Yashar had 26 points with 8 3-point shots while Amir Reza Azari and Mohammad Shamshi along with Soheyl Nezhad also scored.
The last 2 minutes of the match saw both sides matching each other and trying to outdo their opponents with a flurry of 3-pointers but the Japanese managed to be ahead the final whistle.
Chinese Taipei end up 7th
Chinese Taipei drew out a high 50% conversion from field goals which was the ultimate deciding factor with Yu-Shang Xing and the ever-dependable Carter Mathew Coleman continuing their fine form. They got good support from guard Ting-Kuan Liu, who was on target from the free throw line.
Carter Coleman of Chinese Taipei scores against Philippines
Marcus Jayden and Jia Han Huang were good in defence as Philippines could never get near the lead through the match. Kenji Yob Moral had 9 conversions from 17 attempts made to end up with an individual tally of 22. Ethan Mathew scored 15 and Lino Jr got 10 for the Philippines.
Results: Final: Australia 89 (Bailey Hanson 15, Yahya Basaran 13, Ja Fa’ale 19, Harry Cook 11) beat China 79 (Yuchen Zhang 13, Yizhaojie Zhang 20, Junxian Li 13).
3rd place playoff: New Zealand 102 (Jackson Ball 29, Philip Wickham 19, Aubrey Chunga 12, Cole Hopoi 14) beat Korea 97 (Jiwon Yoon 29, Taejoon Park 15, Geonwoo Heo 15, Jihoon Yoon 13).
Norman Isaac (centre), tournament director of the FIBA Under-18 Asia Cup with the Indian officials at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium in Ahmedabad
5th place: Japan 88 (Kaito Nakamura 30, Aru Takahashi 15, Cayman 10) beat Iran 83 (Amir Reza Azari 14, Mohammad Yashar 26, Mohammad Shamshi 15).
7th place: Chinese Taipei 89 (Yu-Sheng Xing 17, Ting-Kuan Liu 13, Tz-Jie Weng 11, Carter Coleman 23) beat Philippines 78 (Ethan Matthew 15, Lino Jr 10, Kenji Yob Moral 22).