Taiwan’s men’s basketball team advanced to the six-team qualifying tournament for this year’s Saudi Arabia International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup after defeating the Philippines 91-84 in Taipei on Thursday.
The victory is Taiwan’s first win against Gilas Pilipinas since 2016, avenging a 53-point drubbing in Pasig, Philippines, nearly a year ago.
Gianluca Tucci, Taiwan’s head coach, praised the team’s dedication and said the win is well-deserved.
Photo: Chen Jung-chen, CNA
“I don’t really see this as a surprise, because I deeply believe in my team. And if you see how hard they work [and] train, you can consider [this win the same way] as [I do],” said Tucci, who was appointed just a year ago.
Despite Justin Brownlee’s dominant 39-point, eight-assist performance for the Philippines, Taiwan remained composed and held firm down the stretch.
Lin Ting-chien and Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga led the scoring with 21 points each, supported by Lu Chun-hsiang and Ma Chien-hao who combined for 32 points.
Taiwan’s Brandon Gilbeck also made a significant defensive impact with five blocks.
“It’s fantastic to see multiple players step up and contribute offensively,” said Lin, who also recorded seven rebounds and five assists.
Lin credited captain Liu Cheng for energizing the team’s defense, despite his scoreless outing.
The defeat is Gilas’ first loss in the group stage, prompting the Philippines’ head coach Tim Cone to take responsibility, while acknowledging Taiwan’s progress over the past year.
“We knew they were going to be much improved from the last time we played them, but they were even better than we thought. That’s on me. No doubt, I should have prepared us better,” Cone wrote on X yesterday.
With the Philippines and New Zealand leading Group B with a 4-1 record, the two teams would compete for first place in Auckland tomorrow.
The already-eliminated Hong Kong host Taiwan in their final group-stage game tomorrow.
Taiwan would continue their quest for an Asia Cup berth in the upcoming qualifying tournament, which would be contested by six third-place teams from the first qualifying round later this year.
The Greek basketball league finals between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos were suspended by the government on Monday following on-court scuffles involving rival security teams. The best-of-five series is at 1-1. The third game, scheduled for today, has been postponed. The owners of both clubs were summoned to meet with the country’s sports minister. They “will be asked to provide explicit guarantees that this situation will be brought to an end. If not, this year’s championship will be definitively canceled,” government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said. “There can be no tolerance for such pathological phenomena of violence and delinquency.” In online posts, the owners of Panathinaikos and
Ryan Yarbrough picked up a dazzling World Series ring from his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Then he went out and beat them. The New York Yankees starter on Sunday pitched one-run ball over six innings, struck out a season-high five and blanked the Dodgers’ top four hitters in a 7-3 win. “I feel like I’m in a really good place right now and really trying to continue that,” Yarbrough said. “I’m having a lot of fun.” The 33-year-old left-hander made 44 relief appearances between the Dodgers and Blue Jays last season. The Dodgers designated him for assignment on July
The Crusaders yesterday produced a clinical performance in difficult conditions to beat the Queensland Reds 32-12 and claim home advantage in next week’s Super Rugby semi-finals. Lock Scott Barrett and prop Tamaiti Williams scored first-half tries to reward an outstanding performance from the Crusaders’ forwards in wet, slippery conditions and bitterly cold temperatures. Scrumhalf Noah Hotham defied the conditions in the second half to score a superb solo try and, after kicking a conversion and penalty to make the score 22-0 at the hour mark, flyhalf Rivez Reihana scored a try which took the game beyond the Reds. “Typical Christchurch weather, cold, wet
Spain starlets Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dazzled on Thursday as La Roja beat France 5-4 in a thriller in Stuttgart, Germany, to set up a UEFA Nations League final with Portugal. Yamal bagged a brace, while Williams scored and provided an assist as the two wingers cut France’s makeshift defense to ribbons. Mikel Merino and Pedri were also on the score sheet for the UEFA Euro 2024 champions. Kylian Mbappe netted a second-half penalty, but Spain were 5-1 up and cruising, before Les Bleus suddenly woke up as their opponents took their foot off the pedal. France’s three late goals — a
RSS