BASKETBALL – BAHRAIN’S unbeaten run in the 44th William Jones Cup in Chinese Taipei came to an abrupt end yesterday.
The kingdom’s senior men’s basketball national team suffered a heavy 50-93 defeat to the hosts in a stunning, one-sided affair at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.
The Bahrainis headed into the contest boasting a sensational six-game winning streak, but the home team gave them a rude awakening in what was their penultimate assignment of the competition.
The final 43-point losing margin was also Chinese Taipei’s biggest lead of the evening, as they claimed their fifth win to go with just one loss.
With the result, Bahrain, who took to the court without the services of key player JaKarr Sampson, dropped to second place from the top of the table. They have one game remaining in this prestigious tournament – it is today against defending champions Strong Group Athletics from the Philippines, who are the only squad still unbeaten and are now in first place on the standings.
The Filipinos defeated Malaysia’s national team 106-98 in another fixture yesterday. Australia United, meanwhile, edged past Japan’s national development team 68-65, and Chinese Taipei’s national development team cruised past the UAE 88-66.
The Bahrainis’ concluding appearance on the hardwood tonight comes as part of the penultimate day’s programme in this year’s William Jones Cup. Their clash is scheduled for a 10am tip-off, Bahrain time. In other matches, Australia United face Malaysia, Chinese Taipei take on Japan’s national development team, and Chinese Taipei face Qatar’s B team.
The William Jones Cup is one of the most highly reputed and popular international basketball tournaments in Asia. Bahrain are competing in the event for the second time in its history, following their debut over four decades ago in the 1978 edition.
In yesterday’s loss, the nationals powered ahead 8-4 at the start, but after losing the advantage on a Chen Yingjun three-pointer, they never recovered. Chinese Taipei then went on a game-changing 18-2 run to turn a slim 13-10 edge to a commanding 31-15 cushion. They led 31-18 after the first, which they extended even further to 60-30 at the half.
The Bahrainis never put in a challenge the rest of the way, falling behind 76-40 after three en route to another forgettable quarter in the fourth for the massive defeat.
Wayne Chism was Bahrain’s only player in double figures, finishing with 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Ali Hussain had nine and Mohammed Buallay added seven, while Mahmood Abbas scored six and both Subah Hussain and Mohammed Ameer had five points apiece. Star guard Mustafa Hussain struggled with just three points and went one-for-nine from the field.
He Dan had 19 points, including an impressive five three-pointers, to spearhead the victors, while Yingjun added 14. All but one of their 12 players made it onto the scoresheet.
This year’s William Jones Cup is scheduled to conclude tomorrow when Bahrain have a bye. They have played a busy seven games in as many days, with their wins coming against the Japan and Chinese Taipei development teams, Australia United, Malaysia, the UAE, and Qatar’s B squad.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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