BASKETBALL – SAUDI Arabia used a big second quarter to pull off a 77-73 upset against Jordan to break through into the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 win column last night at the King Abdullah Sports Centre.
The hosts, from a slim lead after the game’s first 10 minutes, waxed hot and went on to outscore their foes, 27-14, to establish a 48-31 lead at the half – a cushion good enough to hold off a late rally by the Falcons.
So ecstatic were the supportive home crowd that trooped to the venue as the team finally witnessed their efforts lead to a victory after falling just short of accomplishing a stunner against China back in the opening day.
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman led the Saudis with 25 points, alongside 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
Mo Alsuwailem notched a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds and although they were the only players to finish in double figures for the team, all but one of the nine players fielded scored at least three.
Earlier, New Zealand survived a 37-point explosion from Justin Brownlee to outlast the Philippines 94-86 and improve to 2-0 in Group D.
Jordan Ngatai led the Tall Blacks with 22 points on a perfect 5-of-5 clip from beyond the arc, while Taylor Britt added 19 points and 7 assists, including critical baskets down the stretch that sealed the hard-fought win.
The Philippines dropped to 0-2 despite Brownlee’s heroic performance, which included 7 triples and a barrage of second-half buckets that brought Gilas to the brink of a comeback. Dwight Ramos also stepped up in the second half, while Scottie Thompson provided energy on both ends, but New Zealand’s poise and depth ultimately made the difference.
The Tall Blacks (2-0) will next face fellow unbeaten Chinese Taipei, while the Philippines (0-2) must win against Iraq to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.
Chinese Taipei, meanwhile, rode a third-quarter explosion from Lin Ting-Chien to overpower Iraq 87-60 in their Group D clash.
Lin erupted for 16 of his game-high 22 points in a dominant third period that broke the contest wide open, while Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga added 13 points on a perfect shooting night from beyond the arc.
Alibraheemi led Iraq with 15 points and 6 rebounds in a spirited showing, but the team struggled to keep pace in the second half. Iraq were hurt by 19 turnovers and inconsistent shooting, and now fall to 0-2 in Group D.
Chinese Taipei (2-0) now prepare for a crucial and potential top-of-the-table clash against New Zealand, while Iraq (0-2) face a must-win game against the Philippines in their next outing.
China moved a step closer to the quarter-finals after keeping India winless by way of a dominant 100-69 conquest.
Coming off a tough escape from hosts Saudi Arabia the last time out, the traditional contenders were quick to set the tone this time, racing to a 20-8 lead before ending the first owning a 29-14 advantage.
But it wasn’t until the second quarter where they would pull away for good on the way to chalking up their second win in as many games, thus taking the provisional lead in Group C – and zeroing in on advancing.
Team Dragon will simply have to beat rivals Jordan tomorrow to complete the sweep and clinch the number 1 spot, which merits an outright trip to the quarter-finals scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
“Jordan is a strong team,” head coach Guo Shiqiang said. “We always play against them in the Asian championships. They’re like old opponents for us. For sure, we will treat that game very seriously.”
Hu Mingxuan sparked the Chinese with 17 points behind a 5-of-8 clip from beyond the arc, as he showed how much he wanted to bounce back after a measly two-point showing against Saudi on Opening Day.
Now at 0-2, India have no other choice but to win against Saudi Arabia tomorrow if they are to remain in contention for a spot at the qualification to quarter-finals.
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