Day 1, Level 2 Round-Up - Philippines overcome Malaysia; Lebanon, Kazakhstan win

CHENNAI (23rd FIBA Asia Women Championship) - Philippines showed a lot of guts and gumption in quelling the challenge from fellow SEABA nation Malaysia as Lebanon and Kazakhstan began their quest for a promotion on the opening day of the Level II competition of the 23rd FIBA Asia Women Championship on Thursday.

Philippines beat Malaysia, who were relegated from Level I at Incheon two years ago, 61-55.

Kazakhstan carried too many guns for Sri Lanka in their 94-40 after Lebanon had powered their way past Uzbekistan 83-68.

Point guard Chada Nasr’s third quarter blitz helped Lebanon break away from an even-keeled encounter, at least in terms of scoring.

The 26-year-old Antranik superstar in Lebanese women’s league scored 12 of her game-high 23 points as Lebanon overpowered their Middle Asian rivals 26-13 in the third period to seal the issue.

“It wasn’t easy in the early minutes,” Chada Nasr said.

“I guess it was a mixture of nerves and early blues,” she added.

“It was in the second half that we actually began to roll,” Lebanon coach Elie Nasr added.

American Chantelle Anderson, naturalized recently by Lebanon, chipped in with 19 points, in a 58% (7/12) field record.

Irina Averyanova was the highest scorer for Uzbekistan, but 15 of her 21 points came in the first half.

Lebanon next play Malaysia, while Uzbekistan take on Sri Lanka.

For Sri Lanka, it will be their second game on the trot against a fellow Middle Asian nation.

Yelena Dots’ 13 points was the highest as all the 11 Kazakhstan players scored.

An 18-2 run in the opening moments of the game gave Kazakhstan the early push, a position from where they only grew in strength.

“It’s nice to start with a win,” Kazakhstan coach Tatyana Kondius said.

Premila Beruwalage was the highest scorer for Sri Lanka with 13 points.
Malaysia coach Tan See Wah sounded introspective despite the loss.

“We (the Malaysian National team) has been struggling for the last couple of years and we are in a transition period. In that sense, I think we played rather well,” the veteran coach said.

“They caught us by surprise. Of course they gave us a scare,” Tan See Wah’s Filipino counterpart Haydee Ong said.

Sylvia Valencia used all her experience to good stead for the Philippines and top scored the game with 15 points, in an otherwise all-round scoring pattern,

Kew Suik May’s 14 points was the highest for Malaysia.

S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia