Iran toughens up for FIBA-Asia

MANILA, Philippines - West Asian power Iran underscored its readiness for the coming 27th FIBA Asia Championship after reclaiming the crown in the 2013 Williams Jones Cup in Taipei Saturday.

Hamed Haddadi powered his way to 17 points and 11 rebounds while Oskin Sahakian put in 14 markers as Iran whipped Chinese Taipei, 72-67, to clinch the championship with one play date left in the single-round-robin tourney.

Going to the final day of competition, the Iranians were unreachable with a perfect 7-0 win-loss mark. They were fancied to complete a clean sweep against a low-spirited Lebanese team (2-5) last night.

Even if they’re stunned by the Lebanese and caught on top by the South Koreans (6-1), the Iranians would bring home the crown on the strength of a superior quotient.

Over in New Zealand, Gilas Pilipinas narrowly missed a third straight win in its tune-up series, bowing to the NBL Select team, 85-86, in a chilly Sunday in Napier City.

American imports BJ Anthony, Antoine Tisby, Marcel Jones and Kareem Johnson led the home team to victory in the fiercely-fought contest.

Star forward Sammad Nikkah Bahrami and gunner Hamed Afagh also made a difference as the Iranians disposed of the Taiwanese and thus reclaimed the title they lost to Gilas Pilipinas last year.

Through 34 editions of the meet named after one of the FIBA founding fathers, Iran and the Philippines are already tied at second in the championship ladder with four titles each. The United States is the dominant leader with 15 crowns.

Gilas Pilipinas ended Iran’s three-year reign in pulling the rug from under the Americans in the final day last year.

The Filipinos, however, lost a chance to defend the crown as the Jones Cup organizers withdrew their invitation to Gilas Pilipinas due to a diplomatic row caused by the death of a Taiwanese fisherman on disputed waters near Batanes.

Nonetheless, the Filipinos and the Iranians are tipped to cross paths in the knockout stage of the Asian world qualifier slated in Manila Aug. 1-11.

Gilas Pilipinas turned back Iran in their last Jones Cup meeting but the Iranians got back at the Filipinos in their succeeding FIBA Asia Cup encounter in Tokyo.

In the other games in the penultimate day of the 2013 Jones Cup, Egypt crushed Taipei B, 81-69; Jordan dumped Japan, 74-65; and the US routed Lebanon, 109-66.

Egypt improved to 5-3 at third place, followed by Taipei A (4-3), US (4-3), Jordan (3-4), Lebanon (2-5), Taipei B (1-6) and Japan (0-7).

Haddadi, Sahakian, Bahrami and Afagh joined forces as Iran pummeled Taipei in the third quarter to open a 16-point margin going into the final canto.

The two teams fought to a 17-all tie in the first quarter before the Iranians pounded some opening and took the half at 36-32.

The Taiwanese, coming short in their endgame rally, were paced by Lin Chih-Chieh and naturalized player Quincy Davis with 12 points each.