A Qatari player attempts to score a basket during his side’s match against Hong Kong in the Group B match of the FIBA Asia Championship, yesterday.
Pasay City, Philippines: Qatar dominated against Hong Kong to cruise to a 87-64 win and top Group B in the 27th FIBA Asia Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, yesterday.
Naturalised player Jarvis Hayes was unstoppable in the first three quarters of the game as he amassed 25 points to lead all scorers.
Hong Kong tried to adjust in the payoff period, applying a ‘box and one’ special zone defence to stymie Hayes.
But Daoud Mosa Daoud took over the game and unloaded a couple of triples, and veteran guard Saad Ali and Ali Turki drilled in one trey each to give the Qatari’s their biggest lead of the game at 76-51, with only 6:19 remaining during the match.
The undersized Hong Kong team gambled against the taller and heftier Qatar.
But the Qataris came ready with its arsenal as they unleashed a total of 15 three-pointers out of 40 tries for a respectable 38 per cent shooting clip. They also outrebounded Hong Kong, 44-35, and had more assists, 21-12.
Hong Kong shot 9 out of 28 from behind the arc.
Daoud finished with 17 markers and five boards.
Chan Siu Wing scored 18 points for Hong Kong.
It is the second straight win for Qatar, who opened their campaign on Thursday with a 75-74 win against Japan.
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 tournament will end on August 11. AGENCIES
