BASKETBALL – Australia turned it up in the second half to beat Qatar, 110-82, and sweep their way into the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 quarter-finals yesterday at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The reigning two-time champions got going in the third before breaking away shortly after, foiling their foes’ upset bid while they went on to clinch the top spot in Group A by collecting their third win in as many games.
Now, the Boomers will wait for the winner between hosts Saudi Arabia and the Philippines in the qualification to quarter-finals on Monday to determine their opponents in the final eight, which starts Wednesday.
“I didn’t think we started very well defensively but finished very well defensively,” said head coach Adam Caporn. “Particularly in the second half, in the third quarter, when our starters came back.”
“That turned the game for us,” added the seasoned mentor.
Five players finished in double figures in the rout, with winger Jaylin Galloway once again showing the way with 24 points behind an excellent 8-of-10 shooting from the floor, which included a pair of three-pointers.
Will Hickey came through with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. Reyne Smith also tallied 15 points off the bench after going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, as he was responsible in giving themselves the lead for good.
As the Aussies struggled to get into their usual flow, the young guard came in and knocked down a pair of treys late in the second, the last of which gave them the 46-43 advantage entering the intermission.
Galloway would then set the tone for the rout, scoring seven in an 8-0 run to open the third canto for a 54-43 lead. They’d go on to pour a total of 31 points in the said period to build a 77-63 lead, never to let up.
Will Magnay supplied 11 points while Jack McVeigh added 10 in the win that saw Australia shoot 56.5-per cent thanks to their 21 assists, and win the rebounding battle with 45 to their tally – 13 more than the opposition’s.
Brandon Goodwin, on the other hand, registered 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists plus 3 steals to lead Qatar, who started out so strongly and even constructed an 18-13 lead but could not sustain as much.
Tyler Harris made 15 points. Babacar Dieng had 14 points, while Zineeddine Bedri and Alen Hadzibegovic added 13 points apiece as they ended the tournament without a win in the three matches they played.
In another match yesterday, Yu Kisang submitted his best showing to date as South Korea shot the lights out to beat Lebanon, 97-86.
In just his first stint in the continental conclave, the 24-year-old guard erupted for 28 points behind an excellent 8-of-12 clip from beyond the arc as he played a crucial role in their blazing start to set up the lopsided show.
He contributed two triples in the East Asian side’s eight made threes in just the first quarter alone toward a 26-12 lead, before the rest of the crew broke away for good in the ensuing frame to cruise to the victory.
“We survived the group of death,” exhaled head coach Ahn Joonho. “We’ve fought every game, and we’re going to fight even more throughout the tournament, and we’re going to go back home as legends.”
Japan caught fire from deep and never looked back, routing Guam 102-63 to seal second place in Group B.
The Akatsuki Japan squad improved to 2-1, while Guam slipped to 1-2 for third place. Both teams will advance to the next stage, with matchups to be confirmed following the conclusion of group play.
Keisei Tominaga once again lit the spark. The sharpshooter poured in 20 points, including four three-pointers, and grabbed five rebounds in another efficient, high-energy performance.
Yudai Nishida also impressed, adding 16 points and three triples of his own.
Iran completed a clean sweep of Group B, shaking off a slow first half to overwhelm Syria 82-43.
The three-time Asia Cup champions improved to 3-0, setting up a last-eight meeting with the winner of the Chinese Taipei vs. Jordan clash in the Qualification to Quarter-Finals.
Syria, who finished 0-3, bow out of the tournament after another battling but ultimately frustrating night.
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