MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA Esports Open 2020 II began on Saturday with Saudi Arabia and the Philippines both moving top of their respective Conferences with three wins each.

Saudi Arabia battled to a 3-1 lead over Lebanon in the Middle East Conference, while the Philippines hold the advantage over Australia in the Southeast Asia / Oceania Conference with the head-to-head in their two meetings.

Middle East Conference

Results: Lebanon 69-73 Saudi Arabia; Saudi Arabia 50-56 Lebanon; Lebanon 45-62 Saudi Arabia; Saudi Arabia 71-64 Lebanon

Saudi Arabia were comprehensive winners in the Middle East Conference back in June, though the games were far more closer this time around.

Lebanon had the lead inside the final minute of the opening contest, but consecutive turnovers proved costly as they came up short in a 73-69 defeat, despite 51 points from Moustapha Saab (@NoStiick-) and Shadi Faraj (@SFaraj15).

However, their fortunes were reversed in the next encounter as Lebanon wiped out an eight-point deficit inside the final quarter to claim a crucial 56-50 victory.

Saudi Arabia hit back in style in the third meeting of the day as they recorded a comfortable 62-45 victory before finishing the day with a 71-64 to take control of the Conference.

Southeast Asia / Oceania Conference

Results: Philippines 53-70 Australia; Australia 75-61 Indonesia; Indonesia 37-65 Philippines; Australia 55-81 Philippines; Philippines 65-50 Indonesia; Indonesia 59-80 Australia.

Two conference winners from the inaugural FIBA Esports Open 2020 met in the opening game of the merged Southeast Asia / Oceania Conference with Australia and the Philippines both picking up three wins apiece.

Australia took the spoils in the opening game as they earned a 70-53 success over the Philippines as Benjamin Klobas (@Waurk) put up 26 points and 15 assists before they quickly moved to 2-0 with a 75-61 victory against Indonesia.

Angelico John Cruzin (@PLE_Shintarou) fired in eight triples in a 28-point haul along with eight assists as the Philippines got off the mark by beating Indonesia 65-37, and then continued the momentum with a 37-point haul as his side dominated Australia in an impressive 81-55 triumph.

The Philippines made it three wins in a row as they held off a spirited response from Indonesia to win 65-50 to ensure they topped the Conference after the opening day, while Australia rounded out proceedings, winning 80-59 against Indonesia.

Africa Conference

Results: Cote d'Ivoire 20-0 Gabon; Gabon 0-20 Cote d'Ivoire; Cote d'Ivoire 20-0 Gabon

Gabon had connection issues and therefore lost their games by forfeit, though they still have the chance to play tomorrow with the final four games of the Conference on the schedule.

Another action-packed schedule takes place tomorrow as the three regional conferences reach their conclusion.

FIBA