Korea and Chinese Taipei join Japan and China to qualify for FIBA Asia Cup 2017

NAGANO (EABA Championship 2017) - Both Korea and Chinese Taipei recovered on Day 3 with separate victories in the EABA Championship 2017 and also qualified to the FIBA Asia Cup 2017.

In the first game of the day, Korea bounced back from their Day 1 defeat to hosts Japan by routing Macau, 109-58. Coach Hur Jae's squad led by double-figures early on and never allowed Macau to mount any comeback.

Lee DaeSung had a great performance for Korea with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 5 triples. Jeon JunBeom also impressed with 16 points and 4 three-pointers of his own. The Koreans waxed hot from long range, hitting a total of 21 three-point bombs compared to only 3 for Macau.

This win propels Korea into the Semi-Final, where they will face unbeaten China. Macau, meanwhile, will play Hong Kong for 5th place. The Macanese were paced by 16 points from Chan Wai Seng.

In the final game of the first round, Chinese Taipei made short work of Hong Kong, 92-57, thanks to some really tight defense. Coach Chou Chun-San's wards limited the Hong Kongers to under 30% field goal shooting and out-rebounded them, 49-28. Chou Yi-Hsiang led the victors with 13 points on 6-of-11 field goal shooting, while Liu Cheng and Yu Huan-Ya each tallied 12 points.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, were paced by Fong Shing Yee and Lee Ki, who both scored 10 points. Big man Duncan Reid had 8 points and 8 rebounds, but he couldn't really assert himself in the paint.

Chinese Taipei next face undefeated home team Japan in the Semi-Final.

Japan, China, Korea and Chinese Taipei have formally booked their spots at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 and the Asia Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. Whoever finishes at 5th place between Macau and Hong Kong will be the final team to represent East Asia in both those tournaments.

RESULTS:

Korea beat Macau, 109-58

Chinese Taipei beat Hong Kong, 92-57

FIBA