Philippines end China's streak and Taipei remain unbeaten as Thailand, Kuwait progress to Quarter-Finals

JAKARTA (2015 FIBA Asia U16 Championship) - Philippines handed three-times reigning champions China their first defeat in the history of the competition - after 31 successive wins spread over four editions – on Tuesday as Thailand and Kuwait won virtual play-offs in their respective final Second Round encounters and completed the Quarter-Finals line-up.

2013 FIBA Asia U16 Championship semi-finalists Chinese Taipei remained as the only unbeaten team in the current competition, and set up a Final Eight clash against first-time Quarter-Finalists Thailand.

The winners of that game will head into a Semi-Final clash against the winners of Japan-Philippines Last Eight encounter.

China, who topped Group F despite the defeat, will line up against Kuwait with the winners progressing to a Semi-Final clash with the winners of the Korea-Lebanon Quarter-Final.

The 2015 FIBA Asia U16 Championship takes a break on Wednesday followed by three days of play-off action which will decide the three Asia's representatives to the 2017 FIBA U17 World Championship.

Group E: Taipei progress unbeaten; Kuwait dash Indonesian hopes

Kuwait cut flamboyance for caution in their 'play-off' game against Indonesia, dashing the hosts' hopes 79-63.

An early double-digit lead giving the Gulf team the needed cushion, Kuwait only grew in confidence and strength.

Masaed AlOutaibi led Kuwait's maiden entry into the Quarter-Finals with 25 points

Andre Rizqiano's 15 points kept the hosts supporters happy.

Chinese Taipei doused Japanese enthusiasm early on and held fort for their 83-75 win, their sixth in as many games here, which gives them the No 1 spot in Group E.

Japan did have the effort to stage a fightback in the final period, but against Taipei's discipline in defense it was a rally that proved too little coming too late.

Ting-Chien Lin topped the scoring charts with 24 points for Taipei, while Wei-Chieh Tang added 20.

For Japan, who lost their second consecutive game, had Yudi Nishida as their top scorer with 22 points.

In a game of mere academic interest, Lebanon and Malaysia went through the motions – the former prevailing 83-79.

Group F: Philippines stun China; Thai dash Iraq's hopes

Philippines played some refreshingly effervescent basketball in not only keeping the much taller Chinese at bay, but also using their speed to catch the rivals off guard very often. Philippines won 78-72.

In a game of fluctuating fortunes, Philippines closed the game with the biggest run by either team in the game.

Down 67-72, Philippines reeled in 11 unanswered points – a three-pointer each from Kris Pagsanjan, Jason Credo and Samjosef Belangel combined with Jonas Tibayan from the free-throw line accounting for them – to post their fifth win in six games.

Gian Mamuyac was their highest scorer with 22 points.

Bai Haotian, who seemed the only Chinese player to keep pace with the speed of their rivals, had 21 points.

Thailand scored the first six points of the game and proved that was no fluke going on to beat Iraq 52-49 and take the No 4 spot in the Group.

With the game evenly poised, Pongsakorn Jaimsawad’s jumper gave Thailand the edge for good and Jdar Sonsem's twin free-throws in the ensuing 'fouling' activity sealed the issue in favor of the SEABA team.

Natthaworn Banchathon led Thailand's scoring with 17 points, while Thanakrit Limjittakorn provided the fulcrum with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals to go with his dozen points.

For Iraq, who are now confined to playing the 9-12 Classification, Abdullah Abdullah and Ahmed Jasim each scored 12 points.

Korea completed the formalities of their engagements in the Second Round beating Bahrain 90-69.

FIBA