SoKor beats Malaysia by only 22; Hayes, Johnson shine

MANILA, Philippines – Playing on the third straight day, South Korea just flexed enough muscle as they opted to pace their game in trouncing Malaysia, 80-58, Saturday in the 2013 Manila FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Koreans’ 22-point margin was the lowest registered in Group C against the hapless Malaysians.

Before them, the Malaysians suffered 115-25 and 113-22 blowouts at the hands of tournament favorites Iran and China, respectively.

In the other games in Day 3, Qatar leaned on Jarvis Hayes to dispatch Hong Kong, 87-64 in Group B action.

Hayes, a former NBA first round draft pick, shone with 25 points in just 24 minutes. He made 10 of 13 shots including five triples to lead Qatar to its second straight win.

Another naturalized player Jerry Johnson also sizzled for Kazakhstan with 16 points and six assists as the dark horse team swept Group D with an 80-67 victory over India.