Shahintab wants Petrochimi to focus on discipline and chemistry

TEHRAN (FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2016) - Coach Mehran Shahintab of Petrochimi Bandar Imam has settled on his 12-man roster for the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2016 in Chenzhou, China, which starts October 8.

The powerhouse squad from the IBF Superleague is bannered by stalwarts of Iran’s national team — Oshin Sahakian, Rouzbeh Arghavan and Mohammad Jamshidi. Rising stars like Mohammad Hassanzadeh and Behnam Yakhchali are also present. All of those players were among those who helped Team Melli win their third straight title in the FIBA Asia Challenge 2016, and, for sure, they are hoping to continue Iran’s winning ways in this tourney.

Iran have won a total of five Champions Cup titles, with Saba Battery Tehran winning in 2007 and 2008, Mahram Tehran taking home the grand prize in 2009 and 2010, and Foolad Mahan Isfahan copping the crown in 2013. Because of this pedigree, Petrochimi is expected to be the title favorites despite this being only their first time to join the competition.

“We are happy to participate in this big tournament,” says coach Mehran. “For sure, the result for Petrochimi is important, but we tried to work hard on our chemistry and discipline so all players know their responsibility well.”

It will also be quite interesting to see how the Iranians fare without icons such as Hamed Haddadi, Samad Nikkhah Bahrami and Mahdi Kamrani. Imports like James White IV and Gerald Robinson, Jr., however, are expected to pick up the slack.

“Most of our players are young,” says coach Mehran. “But I expect all of them to lead and help the team during the tournament.” 

White is a journeyman who has played in the NBA, Russia, Italy and, most recently, Croatia. He is a 2.01m wingman who is known for his ability to attack the basket. Robinson, for his part, is a 1.85m 27-year-old guard who has had experience playing in Belgium, Israel, Latvia and France. He last saw action for JSF Nanterre in Eurocup 2016, averaging 11.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists. With neither Kamrani nor Sajjad Mashayekhi in the roster, the onus is on Robinson to provide quality playmaking for Petrochimi.

The Iranians are in Group A with Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, India’s ONGC, Qatar’s Al Rayyan and Chinese Taipei’s Pauian (Pure Youth Construction). Group B have Al Ahli of UAE, Al Shorta of Iraq, Barsy Atyrau of Kazakhstan, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of China and the Malaysia Dragons.

Petrochimi will play on opening day against Pauian, which is bannered by naturalized player Quincy Davis.

FIBA