Taiwan’s national team opened this year’s William Jones Cup International Basketball Tournament on a high note with a narrow 84-82 victory over Japan in overtime at the Sinjhuang Sports Complex in New Taipei City last night.
Tsai Wen-cheng’s bank shot off the glass with 15 seconds remaining in overtime broke an 82-all tie to give Taiwan the lead for good as the hosts rallied from as many as seven down in the fourth quarter to escape with a thrilling win.
“I just knew I had to make it count,” Tsai said of the shot after the game.
Photo: Lin Cheng-kung, Taipei Times
His crafty “kiss off the glass” was the perfect finish to an outstanding pass from Lin “the Beast” Chih-chieh, whose timely penetration drew the Japanese defense far enough from Tsai to create the necessary opening for the latter to receive a pass and get the shot off.
The highly anticipated showdown between the two squads lived up to its billing in front of a sellout crowd, who watched Japan move to a 41-38 lead at the halfway mark.
Taiwan battled back to take a 57-54 lead of their own after three quarters before a tie in regulation time sent the contest into the extra session.
TAIWAN B 85, NEW ZEALAND 102
Taiwan’s Team B proved no match for New Zealand, dropping their opener against the visitors yesterday afternoon.
Chou Yi-hsiang had a huge day on the offensive side of the ball with a team-high 27 points to lead a young home squad who simply did not have the size to take on a bigger and more experienced Kiwi front court.
The visitors boasted former SBL standout Bryan Davis, who made his return to Taiwan with 22 points and eight rebounds.
Early foul trouble by center Lee Te-wei only added insult to injury as Lee was held to just four points on the 12-plus minutes of court action that he saw.
Four different players scored 20 points or more for New Zealand, led by Richie Edwards’ game-high 28 points.
USA 65, RUSSIA 84
Russia cashed in on a four-point second quarter by the US to run away with victory in their opening contest.
The US were held to a dismal 2-for-12 mark of shooting from the field in the fateful second quarter to fall behind 38-26 at the half, a deficit that they never managed to overcome.
SOUTH KOREA 46, IRAN 77
In the other game yesterday, Iran ran out convincing winners over South Korea.
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