FIBA Asia Cup tips off with four games
The FIBA Asia Cup 2017 has tipped off today with four contests from the group phase. On Tuesday, there was action from Group C and Group D, with Group A and Group B set to start on Day 2 (Wednesday). On the opening day of the FIBA Asia Cup tournament, New Zealand, Taiwan, Australia, and Lebanon tasted success. It was a day characterised by cruising victories as no winning team was pushed the distance.
Group C
New Zealand stayed one step ahead of Kazakhstan in the first half before extending through the second to a cruising 49-70 win. The Kiwis started slow, taking the first quarter 11-15, before moving to 22-29 through the long break. In the second half, New Zealand moved through gears with a 15-25 third act, before completing the job in Q4. Derone Raukawa topped the win with 17 points, while Finn Delaney secured a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Also in Group C, Lebanon eased past Korea with a 72-66 effort. In the closest tie of Day One, the Lebanese used consistency in the first half to build the win. Indeed, 20 points in both the first and second quarters allowed the team a 40-31 midway lead. A 14-10 third act made it 54-41 through thirty minutes. Korea made it interesting by dropping 25 points in the fourth, but Lebanon stayed in control and moved to victory.
Group D
Australia dominated Japan to come away with a 68-84 victory. However, it was the Japanese who made the better start, taking the first frame 20-19. The tide changed in the second period as the Aussie turned the screw with a 11-23 run. In the second half, the men from Down Under built on a 31-42 halftime lead and eased to victory. Jason Cadee and Cameron Gliddon set the tone with 13 points apiece, while Matt Hodgson added a double-double of 11 points and 12 boards.
In the other Group D contest, Taiwan eased passed Hong Kong with a strong second half. Indeed, the team drained 47 second half points to win 62-77 at the FIBA Asia Cup. Hong Kong started well with a 18-13 opening. A 17-17 second quarter made it 35-30 through the long break. Taiwan wrestled the momentum in Q3, using a 18-25 run. The game was settled with an excellent 9-22 fourth act. Yi-Hsiang Chou drained 22 points in the winning effort.