Lebanon hit the ground running at the FIBA Asia Championship with a precious victory against 2013 semifinalists Chinese Taipei 94-89 in their Group D opener Wednesday.
The Cedars, playing their first game at the Asian level since 2012 following an international ban in 2013, started brilliantly as naturalized American Jay Youngblood scored six successive points from neat drives to help Lebanon ease to an 8-0 run. But as the game wore on, the East Asian side recaptured their composure, finding gaps in the Lebanese defense to score from inside and outside.
However, Lebanon were too hot in the first quarter, scoring with a high percentage from the field score to lead 29-20 at the end of the first.
The Taiwanese, who finished fourth in the 2013 Asian Championship after ousting China from the quarterfinals, were more determined in the second, shunting naturalized American center Quincy Davis down low in an attempt to capitalize on Lebanon’s small lineup. That approach paid dividends as Taipei managed to claw back the deficit to only two points at halftime. Ahmad Ibrahim was one of the standout performers in the second quarter for Lebanon as he managed to score 11 points.
And Ibrahim continued in the third from where he left off in the second – he eventually finished the game with 23 points in 23 minutes with an efficiency of 22 – while Ali Haidar was also on form as he helped Lebanon regain a 12-point lead going into the fourth.
But Chinese Taipei refused to give in, launching a comeback through their veteran point guard Lin Chih-Chieh who penetrated easily through the Lebanese lines to tie the game with less than three minutes remaining. But fortunately for Lebanon, they never trailed, with Haidar, Arakji, Ibrahim and Youngblood scoring in critical times in the game, including two successful free throws for Arakji with less than one minute left when Lebanon were leading by a single point.
In addition to Ibrahim, who netted 23 points, Youngblood and Haidar added 18 points each, while Arakji added 14 points and Abdelnour chipped in 12 points with seven rebounds, and was decisive with an offensive rebound late in the game.
Lebanon will face Qatar who defeated Kazakhstan 79-75 after overtime, Thursday, knowing that a win would almost guarantee top spot in Group D.
In other results, Palestine pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Asian Championship history after downing the Philippines 75-73 in Group B.
Also, South Korea dominated Jordan 87-60 in Group C, which saw China defeat Singapore by 49 points.
Defending Champions Iran also comfortably defeated Japan 86-46.
