MANILA, Philippines: Exhibiting remarkable composure under pressure, Arab powerhouse Qatar yesterday overcame an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to edge Japan in their 27th FIBA-Asia Championship match.
Backed by Yaseen Ismail’s 12 points and 15 rebounds, Qatar won 75-74 in their Group B clash at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Yassen’s all-round performance proved to be the key point as Qatar climbed back from a 53-61 deficit to start the final frame.
Ex-NBA veteran Jarvis Hayes also came through for Qatar late — knocking down a baseline jumper that made it a two-possession game, 74-70, before splitting on his charities to seal the game with only 5.4 seconds left.
The tournament, which kicked-off yesterday, ends on August 11 in Manila city of Philippines.
The Qatari Squad includes Yassin Ismail, Malik Salim, Mohammad Salim, Mohammad Hassan Abdulmoati, Ali Turky, Baker Ahma, Mohammad Yousef, Dawoud, Khalid Sulaiman, Saeed Abdulrahman and Mansour Al Hadari.
The opening ceremony of the tournament was held on Wednesday with attendance of Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani, FIBA Asia President.
“It basically shows that FIBA Asia basketball has grown immensely,” said FIBA Asia President Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani in his opening address.
“We are in for a treat. I have no doubt in that. This is a basketball festival the basketball fans in Philippines deserve. And this is a basketball treat that the players of all the teams have a responsibility to deliver,” he added.
The 2013 FIBA Asia Championship for Men is the intercontinental championship for basketball organised by FIBA Asia that serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
THE PENINSULA
