National Cagers Stun Filipino Champions In Asiad Opener
TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain’s national basketball team made a winning start to their 20th Asian Games campaign yesterday, defeating defending champions the Philippines 89-85 in Group C.
The nationals controlled much of the contest at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, leading by as many as 16 points before holding off a determined Filipino comeback in front of 7,557 spectators.
JaKarr Sampson led the way with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. Elijah Thomas and Mustafa Hussain contributed 20 points apiece to the victory.
Slobodan Subotic’s men made their intentions clear by scoring the opening eight points. They maintained that advantage throughout the first quarter, with a late Hussain three-pointer sending the kingdom into the second period 29-21 ahead.
The champions fought back before half-time and briefly took a 43-41 lead. Thomas quickly drew Bahrain level, Uros Ilic struck from long range and Sampson added another three-pointer at the buzzer to restore a 49-43 advantage.
Carrying that momentum into the second half, the Bahrainis extended their unanswered run to 13 points and began to pull away. Thomas continued to make his presence felt, while Sampson created openings and Hussain delivered several important baskets.
Captain Ahmed Alderazi then closed an impressive third quarter with a three-pointer, giving the national side a 76-61 cushion heading into the final period.
The Filipinos mounted a late charge through Calvin Oftana, but Sampson’s final basket kept Bahrain 89-78 ahead with just over three minutes remaining.
Adrian Nocum and Justine Baltazar helped reduce the deficit before Celedonio Trollano struck from long range with 11 seconds left, bringing the Philippines within four points.
Ahmed Haji missed two free throws in the closing seconds, giving the holders one last opportunity. Sedrick Barefield could not convert their final three-point attempt, however, allowing the nationals to celebrate an impressive opening victory.
Oftana finished as the game’s leading scorer with 31 points, while Nocum added 14 and Baltazar contributed 10.
In the other Pool C fixture, China opened their campaign with a 99-61 victory over Kazakhstan. Elsewhere, South Korea defeated Indonesia 102-48 in Pool A, while hosts Japan overcame Saudi Arabia 86-80.
Subotic’s side return to action today against China at 10am, Bahrain time, before completing their preliminary-round programme against Kazakhstan at 4am on Monday.
The top two teams from each of the three pools will advance to the quarter-finals alongside the two best third-placed sides.
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