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23 September, 2015
03 October
6 Mohamad Ali HAIDAR (Lebanon)
29/09/2015
Review
to read

China down Qatar in fight for first; Lebanon beat Jordan to last Quarter-Final spot

CHANGSHA-HUNAN (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - China will go into their Quarter-Final clash against India at the FIBA Asia Championship as the tournament's only unbeaten side after routing Qatar89-65, on Tuesday.

Lebanon edged Jordan, 80-76, and the Philippines won convincingly over India, 99-65, in other key games.

Roared on by their own fans as the host nation, China went in front by as many as 16 points in the first half and 28 for the game against Qatar as they clinched first place in Group F.

All 12 players got minutes from coach Gong Luming and five hit double-digits in points.

China floor general Guo Ailun was a model of efficiency, making four of his five shots from the floor and scoring 11 points while also handing out three assists.

China's perimeter game was solid, with captain Zhou Peng making all three of his shots from long range and Li Gen drilling three of six.

And as usually is the case, Yi Jianlian provided plenty of power in transition.

In a do-or-die battle for fourth place in Group F, Lebanon prevailed over Jordan.

Amir Saoud came off the bench and led the Cedars with 20 points.

He connected on four of six shots from three-point range and has now hit 13 of 27 (48.1 percent) in the tournament. Mohamad Haidar added 15 points and 7 rebounds.

In the other Group F game, Korea, already assured of a third-place finish, took on Kazakhstan and won 79-63.

In Group E, Iran ended tournament debutant Palestine's quest for the podium by rolling to a 94-48 victory.

The victory by the Iranians, who had suffered their first defeat on Monday against the Philippines, ensured India a spot in the Quarter-Finals.

Hamed Haddadi and Asghar Kardoust combined for 29 points and 22 rebounds for Iran.

In the Philippines' big win, India put up a good fight for a half but fell behind by as many as 37 points after the break.

Terrence Romeo buried three shots from long range and finished with 20 points while also handing out four assists and coming up with three steals.

Japan sealed third place in Group E with an 89-62 triumph over Hong Kong.

Joji Takeuchi finished with 17 points and eight rebounds.

Thursday's Quarter-Finals (all times local/GMT+8):
Iran v Korea, 14:30
Japan v Qatar, 16:45
India v China, 19:30
Philippines v Lebanon, 21:30

FIBA