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Group
Standings
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Group A
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Group B
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 MVP:
Andrew Pitts Picks All the Prizes
The new Asian basketball champions Al Wahda have counted mainly on the
Lebanese Al Riyadi Sporting Club American player Andrew Pitts. Just a
look at the prizes that Pitts collected is indicative of his
achievements during this tournament. Andrew Pitts succeeded in
collecting all the accolades and was crowned with 4 Asian awards:
-MVP of Asia
-Best Scorer in Asia
-Best 3 point shooter in Asia
-Best scorer with the highest
number of scored points in one game (he scored 48 points in the final
game against al Rayan from Qatar (96-63).
At
the beginning of the 2003-2004 season,
Andrew Pitts (185-G-73, college:
Houston-Tillotson) had signed for Lebanese Al Riyadi after having
played for two years in Al Wahda (Damascus, Syria). He was congratulated
by his club for his efforts as the club had agreed to loan Pitts to his
previous team for the period of the Asian Champions Cup. Al-Riyadi
Beirut also congratulated Al-Wahda Club for clinching the Asian title, a
first for Al Wahda.
Asia
Final: Syrian Al Wahda Asian Champions; Al Rayyan Second, Sangmu Third
Al Wahda basketball club (Damscus, Syria) are the new
Asian Basketball Champions 2003.
Final: Al Wahda
(Syria) - Al Rayyan (Qatar) 96-63 (33-21, 51-30. 70-45,
96-63)
In a final held today
December 27, 2003 in MABA stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in the
context of the 14th Basketball Asian Champions Cup, the Syrian Al Wahda
beat Al Rayyan Qatar handily 96-63 thus prohibiting Al Rayyan of a
repeat performance of last year. Also the injury of Al Rayyan's
Brandon Dwaye Spann with a left hamstring muscle just 3 minutes into the
game put Al Rayyan at a great disadvantage. Spann was benched the entire
second half by coach Willie Charles Richrdson. But the player who hurt
Al Rayyan most was non other than Andrew Pitts. And it was a massive
performance by all means. The former Al Wahda and now Al Riyadi Sporting
Beirut player, who is playing his third Asian campaign with Al Wahda was
very hot as always with a seemingly unstoppable deadly shooting from all
distances. Suffice to say he scored 48 points including 8 baskets from
the three-point range. Another player who has been peforming
consistently well was the Syrian Khaled Zeidan.
This is the first Asian title
and gold medal for the Syrian club. In the year 2000 and during the
games held in 11th Games held in Beirut, Al Wahda had finished sixth.
They improved In 12th Games in Dubai the following year by coming third
and getting the bronze. They also finsihed third in 2002 during the 1eth
Games in Kuala Lumpur to culminate in this year's title.
3rd - 4th: Sangmu
(South Korea) - Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) 91-82:
In the 3rd and 4th position,
Sangmu (South Korea) prevailed over Saudi Al Ittihad 91-82. It wasn't so
at the beginning when Al Ittihad was ahead 15 points 31-15. But the zeal
to keep the advantage wasn't there anyhow as the Koreans took over.
Particularly forthcoming of the South Koreans were Lee Hyung-joo who
scored 27 and Lee Kyu-sup who scored 25. During the entire games this
time around, Al Ittihad has been a mere shadow of what it was two years
back when it won the title or even last year when it came runner-up.
This time, Al Ittihad game was less than organized, not very collective
and marred by difficulties from the start. Of course the only stable
given throughout the games was the consistently good performance of Al
Hilal's John Carter amidst the incosistent performance of Al Ittihad's
Juhani, Maghribi and Robby Reed. John Carter scored 33 points tonight.
The team manager Khaled ben Yammine also attributed the lacklustre
performance to a sense of desperation and lack of 'esprit de corps' and
coordination during games.
5th - 6th: Sanam
(Iran) - Al Muharraq (Bahrain) 86-80: (half time
52-42)
Iranian Sanam held the fifth
position after a victory over Al Muharraq (Bahrain) 86-80. In fact
although it was a game where Sanam were almost always ahead, Al Muharraq
gave them difficult times. Because of defensive tackles and a physical
game, four players, two of each team, fouled out. Topo scorer was
Sanam's American import Jamal Sharif Watkins. Veisi also contributed
defensively until he was fouled out.
7th- 8th: Aspac
(Indonesia) - Petronas (Malaysia) 97-84
Aspac dominated the game with
Marik Wusang making most of the damage to the Malaysians. He scored 29
points. Petronas' import player, the American Jamal Livingston scored 27
and Petronas captain K. Satyaseelan made 20 points. Coach Felton Sealey
attributed the loss partly on the exhausted status of his players in the
previus games, particularl;y against Al Ittihad. A very disappointing
peformance by the local hosts whose only victory came over the Indian
team the Young Cagers.
More detailswill follow.
Final
classification
14th Asia
Champions Cup:
1. Al Wahda (Syria)
- champions - gold medal
2. Al Rayyan (Qatar)
- runners up - silver medal
3. Sangmu (South
Korea) bronze medal
4. Al Ittihad (saudi Arabia)
5. Sanam (Iran)
6. Al Muharraq (Bahrain)
7. Aspac (Indonesia)
8. Petronas (Malaysia)
9. Punjab Police Young Cagers
(India)
List of Asian
Champions - Basketball - Men:
1st Games (in Hong Kong,
1981) - August
First (China)
2nd (in Ipoh, Malaysia, 1984)
- Northern Cement (Philippines)
3rd (in Jakarta, Indonesia,
1988) -
Swift PABL (Philippines)
4th (in Jakarta, Indonesia,
1990) -
Liaoning (China)
5th (in Bangkok, Thailand,
1992) - Kia
Motors (South Korea)
6th (in Kuala Lumpur,
Indonesia, 1995) - PBL Andok (Philippines)
7th (in Manila, Philippines,
1996)
- Happee Toothpaste (Philippines)
8th (in Jakarta, Indonesia,
1997) - Regal (Hong Kong)
9th (in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia,1998) -Hanwei (China)
10th (in Beirut,
Lebanon,1999) -Al Hekmeh Sagesse (Lebanon)
11th (in Beirut, Lebanon,
2000) -Al Hekmeh Sagesse (Lebanon)
12th (in Dubai, UAE,
2001) -Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
13th (in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, 2002) -Al Rayyan (Qatar)
14th (in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, 2002) -Al Wahda (Syria)
Thus far Lebanese
Sagesse (Hekmeh) remains the only basketball club in the history of the
Asian Club Championships with a double title and consecutively in the
years 1999 and 2000. Arab basketball clubs (namely Al Hekmeh Sagesse
twice, then Al Itthad, then Al Rayyan and now Al Wahda) have kept the
title for the fifth consecutive time in Asia proving the great advance
of basketball in the Arab World particularly in the last decade.
An
All Arab Asian Basketball Final: Al Rayyan vs Al Wahda
Asian Semi-Fianl Games:
Al Rayyan (Qatar)
- Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) 94-88 (29-23, 51-44, 69-63,
94-88)
The semi final between the
two Asian champion clubs Qatari Al Rayyan and Saudi Al Ittihad was a
roller-coaster of a game. Al Rayyan, the incumbent champions started
leading the game 15-5, but soon Al Ittihad caught up through Ali al
Maghribi 17-13. Rayyan coach Willie Charles made the necessary changes
to end the quarter safely leading by six 29-23. In the second Al Rayyan
started to play better and was leading at one point by 20 points no
less. But Al Rayyan kept the game in contention at half by keping the
gap at a manageable level 51-44. But in a strange twist of events, Al
Ittihad took back the game in the fourth by storm, equalized and even
went ahead 79-73 thanks to brilliant play by John Carter (loan player
from Al Hilal) who scored 30 points during this game and through great
shooting from three-point range by Jaber al Qarni. And had it not been
for the two three-pointers and one more basket for a swift 8 points by
Salah Ateeq for his Al Rayyan team, they would have been into big
trouble indeed. In the final moments of confusion, and after Ali Turky's
and Sherell Ford's baskets, the deadly three point shot yet again, by
who else, Mr. MVP of the day Salah Ateeq put an end to a game that could
have conceivably gone to Al Ittihad really hadn't it not been to the
heroics of this young and very brave man indeed.
Al Wahda (Syria) - Sangmu
(South Korea) 107-78
In the other semi final it
was an easy win for Syria's Al Ittihad over Sangmu of South Korea with a
29-point margin. It was very much one-sided affair from start to finish.
Koreans exhausted by the great game they had the previous night against
Al Rayyan simply gave up and were very unproductive. It was not a
fitting semi-final to an Asian Cup as the Al Rayyan-Al Ittihad match-up
for example. Khaled Zeidan made 30 points and Andrew Pitts made 27
points. Korean Lee Kyu-sup made 17.
In any case, with this great
win, the Syrians have stretched their wins into 5 in a row and have
reached the final for the first time in the club's history. And
deservedly so. Last year, Al Wahda finished third in the Asian Champions
keep, its best showing in the club's history. They have already gone one
step further already by being in the Top 2. The final between the two
Arab teams, Al Rayyan (Qatar) and Al Wahda (Syria), will be held
tomorrow the 27th of December.
Positions will be
decided after these games:
1st and 2nd: Al Rayyan
(Qatar) vs Al Wahda (Syria)
3rd and 4th: Al Ittihad
(Saudi Arabia) vs Sangmu (South Korea)
5th and 6th: Al Muharraq
(Bahrain) vs Sanam (Iran)
7th and 8th: Aspac
(Indonesia) vs Petronas (Malaysia)
9th: Punjabi Police Young
Cagers (India) without any position deciding game.
Day
4: Asian Cup Semi-Finalists: Al Rayyan vs Al Ittihad, Al Wahda vs Sangmu
Day 4 of the 14th Asian
Basketball Champions Cup on Christmas Day was D-Day, the most hectic and
decisive in MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In Group A Qatari Al
Rayyan made a clean sweep after a third victory over South Korea's
Sangmu 103-91. But despite this, Sangmu still made it to the semi finals
as Bahrain's Al Muharraq was defeated by Indonesia's Aspac 91-84, the
first win for Aspac in the tournament. In Group B, Saudi Al Itthad
barely escaped with its skin 71-70 against the local Malaysian side
Petronas and made it to the semi-finals. Al Wahda had already qualified
anyway. Meanwhile Iranian Sanam scored a victory on Indian Young Cagers
(Punjabi Police) 106-91. The Indians came dead last with 0-4.:
Al Rayyan (Qatar) - Sangmu
(South Korea) 103-91 (31-14, 54-46, 74-70, 103-91)
Sangmu had a disastrous start
2-18 and 4-22!! Al Rayyan with its starting five line-up of Yaseen
Ismail, Hashem Zeydan, Ali Turky, Brandon Spann and Willard Sherell Ford
was that dominant in the first quarter. Surely the Korean team made some
damage control, but was still losing handily by 17 points in the first
quarter 31-14. As Al Rayyan excelled and increased its advance to a
double score 44-22 in the second quarter. The Qatari coach made one
noticeable change introducing Rayyan captain Salah Ateeq to take over.
But suddenly the until-now dried up Sangmu started hitting from the long
range and with consecutive threes reduced the deficit to just 8 points
at the half 54-46. Not only that, as the entire Al Rayyan defense
loosened, the Koreans continued their onslaught to force a draw 62-62
and again 68-68 and 70-70 draws. But thanks to two baskets by Hashem
Zeydan and Sherell Ford, the Qataris made it safely to the fourth 74-70.
After a short 5-0 run for Sangmu in which they were briefly ahead 75-74
for the first time in the game, the Qatari star Yaseen Ismail shined
with making of 6 consecutive points for Al Rayyan 80-75 soon to be
answered by Sangmu with a three 80-78. After Brandy Spann made one free
throw of two 81-78, the Koreans responded with yet another deadly three
81-81. But eventually, in the most crucial last minutes, Al Rayan
prevailed through a collective effort by all team members: Ali Turky
made 2 very importnat threes and Yaseen Ismail and Sherell Ford sank in
two field goals amidst desperation in the Korean side. Al Rayyan sealed
the game 103-91 and have now gone 3-0 thus far to finish top of their
group to meet their traditional rivals Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia in an
awaited semi-final.
Aspac (Indonesia) - Al
Muharraq (Bahrain) 91-84 (half time 42-45)
Although Bahrain's Al
Muharraq was slightly ahead at the half, the Indonesian side was much
better in the second half. Instrumental in Aspac's win were Rossell
Ellis with a massive 32 points and 14 rebounds. All Ellis' Asian games
have finished with double doubles actually. Other local elements who
also made an impact: Romy C. Chandra with 12, Mario Wuysang with 11 and
Denny Sumargo with 10 points. Despite this first ever win in this
tournament, Aspac languished in the last position in Group A and will
play for 7th -8th position against Malaysian Petronas, whereas Al
Muharraq again with a 1-2 record, but better goal difference will play
for 5th - 6th position against Iran's Sanam.
Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) -
Petronas (Malaysia) 71-70 (half time 47-39)
Al Ittihad made it to the
semis but just... Despite establishing a slight lead in the first half,
the team seemed physically tired as the local Malaysian favorites
Petronas put up a great performance and would have stolen the chances of
Al Ittihad from qualifying. But apparently Al Ittihad survived. This is
the second close call for the Asian champions two years ago and Asian
runners up last year. Al Ittihad had also survived against Sanam with a
last-minute sitch after losing heavily against Al Wehda. In any case,
having finished second they have to meet Al Rayyan again! In the
strangest of coincidences, the two traditional Arab basketball
powerhouses and bitter rivals are meeting for the third time in such
events in three consecuitive Asian tournaments. In the 12th Asian
Basketball Champions Cup, the two teams met in Dubai and Al Ittihad won
the day and was declared Asian Champions. In the 13th Champions Cup, yet
again another classic match-up in Malaysia, and this time Al Rayyan won
and became Asian champions. In the 14th games now under way, they yet
again meet albeit in the semi-finals.
Sanam (Iran) - Punjabi Police
Young Cagers (India) 106-91
Strangely enough, the Indians
scored some high points tonight and lost by just 15 which in itself is
an achievement for the embattled Indian side as they had lost handily:
by 54 points against Al Wahda, by 49 points against Al Ittihad and by 32
points against Petronas. The strong Sanam will play for the 5th and 6th
positions, whereas the Young Cagers are 9th without any need for a final
classification match.
Program for the Finals:
After these results, the
classification rounds have been decided as follows:
Friday Dec 26, 2003
Semi Final 1: Al Rayyan Qatar
(Group A leader) vs Al Ittihad Saudi Arabia (2nd in Group B)
Semi Final 2: Al Wahda Syria
(Group B leader) vs Sangmu South Korea (2nd in Group A)
7th - 8th positions: Aspac
Indonesia (4th in Group A) vs Petronas Malaysia (4th in Group B)
Saturday Dec. 27, 2003
Final: Winners of the two
semi-final match-ups
3rd - 4th positions: Losers
from the two semi final match-ups
5th - 6th positions: Al
Muharraq (3rd in Group A) vs Sanam Iran (3rd in Group B)
Classification - After Day 4,
End of Preliminary Round
Group A:
1. Al Rayyan (Qatar)
3-0 290-232 +58
2. Sangmu (South Korea)
2-1 283-284 -1
3. Al Muharraq (Bahrain)
1-2 245-265 -20
4. Aspac (Indonesia)
1-2 252-289 -37
Group B:
1. Al Wahda (Syria)
4-0 433-314 +119
2. Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
3-1 340-297 +43
3. Sanam (Iran)
2-2 352-348 +4
4. Petronas (Malaysia)
1-3 314-309 +5
5. Punjabi Police
(India) 0-4 286-436 -150
Asia
Day 4: Al Wahda's Onslaught Continues As They Go 4-0; Al Ittihad Still
in Contention After Win Over Sanam
Day 4 of Asian Champions Cup
saw a fourth win by Al Wahda of Syria over hosts Petronas of Malaysia by
92-79 virtually eliminating Petronas' chances of qualifying. Saudi Al
Ittihad is certainly closer to the semis after winning over Sanam Iran
88-83. Finally in Group A, Korean Sangmu kept their chances alive after
eliminating Aspac of Indonesia 109-88.
Sangmu (South
Korea) - Aspac (Indonesia) 109-88
South Koreans scored an
importnat win tonight and deservedly so. South Korean Lee Kyu-sup was on
fire tonight as he scored 31 points no less including 7 three-points!
Besides Lee Kyu-sup, Korean Lee Hyung-joo excelled with 27 and Cho
Sang-kyun with 25. Aspac's trump card center Ikenna Nwankwo made a huge
effort and a double double with 29 points and 17 rebounds. Equally
impressive was Rosell Ellis with 29 points and 24 rebounds. Riko Hantono
was best of the local Indonesian players scoring 15 points. This victory
has kept Korean Sangmu team well in contention whereas the Indonesian
Aspac is out with two losses. Mathematically, now it’s a three-way fight
now between Asian title holders Al Rayyan of Qatar, Sangmu of South
Korea and Al Muharraq of Bahrain with the advantage that Al Rayyan is
2-0 and way ahead in gola average whereas the other two are 1-1. In a
busy day on Decemeber 26, 2003, final match-ups in Group A will include
Al Rayyan-Sangmu and Al Muharraq-Aspac.
Al Ittihad (Saudi
Arabia) - Sanam (Iran) 88-83 (half time 51-41)
Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad
have great chances of qualifying in Group 2 after their victory over
Sanam. Their lead came very early as they were already ahead by 10
points 51-41. Sanam staged a comeback in the second half but fell short
of reaching Al Ittihad.
Ali Al Maghribi (200-F-75) in his best game thus far in Malaysia was
excellent. He was crowned top scorer for the Saudis with 27 points. Also
instrumental in leading a collective game for the team was the
experienced international Mohsen Khalaf. Iranian Sanam's player Mohamad
Samad scored 27 points and was joint top scorer alongside Maghribi. One
game remains for Al Ittihad in round 1 against the local Malaysian side
Petronas. It was a pleasant surprise to note that Saudi national
television will broadcast the game live. This is the first game that
Saudi stations will broadcast live after great interest in the goings on
for Al Ittihad in Asia.
Al Wahda (Syria) -
Petronas 92-79
Petronas kept pace in the
first quarter that finished 26-26 as Jamal Livingston and William Carlos
Booker participated on Petronas side. But at a price as Booker, exactly
like in the previous game against Sanam had already committed three
fouls. As coach Felton Sealey sided him, this was the signal for All
Wahda to edge ahead decisively. Booker returned after half0-time but
Petronas could hardly catch on. Petronas are virtually out in case they
do not win Al Ittihad by 24 points or more tomorrow.
Classification after Day
4:
Group A:
1. Al Rayyan (Qatar)
2-0 187-141 +46
2. Al Muharraq (Bahrain)
1-1 161-174 -13
3. Sangmu (South Korea)
1-1 192-181 +11
4. Aspac (Indonesia)
0-2 161-205 -44
Group B:
1. Al Wahda (Syria)
4-0 433-314 +119
2. Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
2-1 269-227 +42
3. Sanam (Iran)
1-2 246-257 -11
4. Petronas
(Malaysia) 1-2 244-239
+5
5. Punjab Police (India)
0-3 195-330 -135
Asian
Day 3: Important Wins for Al Rayyan Against Al Muharraq and Al Wehda
Against Sanam
Day 3 of the 14th Asian
Basketball Clubs Championship Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, two teams
have qualified for all intents and purposes. These are from Group A
champions Al Rayyan after their emphatic win over Al Muharraq 91-68. The
other is the strong Al Wahda team from Damascus, Syria who have scored
an all-important win over Iran's Sanam 105-85. Saudi Arabian Al Ittihad
smashed the Indian Punjab Police Young Cagers 103-54. In details:
Al Rayyan (Qatar)
- Al Muharraq (Bahrain) 91-68 (half time 47-44)
In Group A, Asian incumbent
basketball club champions Al Rayyan have scored a huge victory 91-68 and
are now 2-0. At half-time, In the first half, there was a balanced match
in which notably Al Muharraq was effective from the three-point range.
However despite this, Al Rayyan managed to lead 47-44. In the third
quarter, and upon the urgence of Rayan coach Willy Charles Richardson,
the Rayyan defensive machine went into full action and shattering the
Muharraq offense into smitherines. Al Muharraq was able to score only 5
points in the entire third and was desperately out of action. A huge
work by the stars of the game Ford, Ismail and Spann. The MVP of the
game with his efforts offensively and defensively was Willard
Sherell Ford (201-F-72, agent:
Gonzalez Mike, college:
Illinois-Chicago) who scored 33
points. Al Rayyan's international star Yaseen Ismail has also regained
his sharpness after return from injury and was very effective tonight
through delightful defense and accurate shooting making 20 points. Al
Rayyan's other American import Brandy Dwayne Spann sank in 19 points for
Al Rayyan. Otrher contributors to Qatari win: Hashem Zeydan and Muhammad
Orabi with contributing 8 points each, Ali Turky 5 and Salah Ateeq 2
points.
Al Wahda (Syria) -
Sanam (Iran) 105-85
This was a crucial game for
both teams. Clearly the Syrian side was much better and prevailed at the
end. The Syrians have now gone 3-0 and have solidified their position at
the top of Group B. Sanam, Petronas and Al Ittihad have all chances for
qualifying as runners up to meet Al Rayyan, top of Group A.
Al Ittihad (Saudi
Arabia) - Punjab Police Young Cagers (India) 103-54
Al Ittihad have are now the
third team to smash the Young Cagers with a score of above 100. This
time it was 103-54 after Cagers lost to Petronas 101-69 and to Al Wahda
126-72. Coach Sabit Hadzic preferred to rest his main players for games
ahead. For example, Robert Reed played very symbolically and the
approval of John Carter (the loan player from Saudi Al Hilal) came only
after 7 minutes of the start of the game.... In any case, Ali al
Maghribi was top scorer from Al Ittihad with 20 points. Also great
efforts from Mohsen Khalaf, Jaber al Qarni and Khaldun al Muwalled. If
Al Ittihad want to keep their chances alive for qualifying to the semis,
they have to tackle much stiffer competition in Days 4 and 5 against
Sanam and Petronas. All three teams are 1-1 and still have oractically
equal chances to qualify as runners up to face a match-up against Al
Rayyan in Group A.
Standings after day 3:
Group A:
1. Al Rayyan (Qatar)
2-0 187-141 +46
2. Al Muharraq (Bahrain)
1-1 161-174 -13
3. Sangmu (South Korea)
0-1 83-93
-10
4. Aspac
(Indonesia) 0-1 73-96
-23
Group B:
1. Al Wahda (Syria)
3-0 341-235 +106
2. Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
1-1 181-144 +37
3. Petronas (Malaysia)
1-1 165-147 +18
4. Sanam (Iran)
1-1 163-169 -6
5. Punjab Police (India)
0-3 195-330 -135
Asia
Day 2: Al Muharraq defeats Sangmu; Petronas' First Loss to Sanam Iran
In the second day of the 14th
Asian Cup in MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hosts Petronas
suffered their first defeat to Sanam Iran 78-64. Al Muharraq's opener
game with Sangmu (South Korea) ended with the former's victory 93-83.
Finally Al Wehda had a walk-over on Piunjab Police Young Cagers 126-72.
Details:
Al Muharraq
(Bahrain) - Sangmu (South Korea) 93-83 (By quarter: 16-25,
39-45, 60-67, 93-83)
In Group A that has only 4
teams, today was the opening day for both the teams. Sangmu showed the
better play throughout three quarters after having established an early
lead of 9. Al Muharraq's huge revival came in the fourth when they had a
33-15 run simply outgunning the Korean when it really counted and had
the final say with a 10-point victory. Bahraini forward
Ibrahim Al Derazi (192-F-) was top scorer for the Arab side with 28
points including 6 from the three point range. Also prominant were the
two American imports Dominique and Roy. In defense, Al Muharraq'a Ahmad
al Doy and Abdel Rida Abdel Hussein greatly contributed to stopping the
Korean onslaught. South Korea's Choo Sang-hyun was top scorer on their
side wuth 23 points.
Sanam Iran -
Petronas (Malaysia) 78-64 (half time 35-39, 3rd Q: 60-47):
Group B seems to be busier
because there are 5 teams in contention. The hosts Petronas had their
first real test tonight, as their opening game against the Indian Young
Cagers was not indicative at all. In any case, they started quite well
and by half were ahead by 4 points 39-35 spearheaded by the recruits
Jamal Livingston (201-F-78, college:
Cal.St.-Bakersfield) and William Carlos Booker. However the strong
defense of Booker under the basket caused more headaches than relief to
Petronas coach Felton Sealey who withdrew his trump card Booker all the
third quarter. This was the opportunity that Iranian Sanam used to put
an effective stop to any offensive or defensive effort by the Malaysians
reducing them to just 8 points in the third whereas Sanam Iran pounded
the Petronas basket with 25 points in 10 minutes, a +17 point run
60-47. The Iranians played safe in the fourth despite the return of
Booker to the floor for a deserving +14 point win. Notable in Sanam were
Saeid Tabeshnia and the tall Mahmoud Khosravi. It is worthwhile to note
that Sanam are not only champions of Iran, but top the Iranian league
with a defeatless record 9-0! Sanam and Syrian Al Wehda are the clear
favorites from Group B. Petronas have to face Al Wehda in Day 3 and must
win if they want to keep their chances of qualification alive.
Al Wehda (Syria) -
Punjab Police Young Cagers 126-72
I mean what more can we add.
A 54 point Syrian onslaught in which many local Syrian players
participated in scoring.
Andrew Pitts (185-G-73, college:
Houston-Tillotson) yet again was top scorer with 28 points tonight.
He had made a top scoring 24 yesterday against a tougher competition,
namely Saudi Al Ittihad. This is the highest scoring game thus far.
Classification
after Day 2
Group A
1. Al Rayyan (Qatar) 1-0
96-73 +23
2. Al Muharraq (Bahrain) 1-0
93-83 +10
3. Sangmu (South Korea) 0-1
83-93 -10
4. Aspac (Indonesia) 0-1
73-96 -23
Group B
1. Al Wehda (Syria) 2-0
236-150 +86
2. Petronas (Malaysia) 1-1
165-147 +18
3. Sanam (Iran) 1-0 78-64 +12
4. Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
0-1 78-90 -12
5. Punjab Police (India) 0-2
141-227 -86
Historical:
Malaysia a basketball hosting nation par excellence.
Out of the 14 Asia Cup
tournaments, Malaysia has organized 5 on its own. The earliest was for
the 2nd Asian Cup in 1984. Then it followed playing host for the sixth
games in 1995, the 9th games in 1998, the 13th games and 14th games
consecutively. For the 14th Asian Cup this year, the original venue was
to be Taiwan, but the event was moved to Malaysia after the SARS scare
earlier this year.
Asia
Day 1:Al Rayyan and Al Wehda Edge Ahead; Petronas Has an Easy Day
Day 1 (December 21, 2004): The
14th Asian Club Championships were inaugurated on MABA Stadium in Kuala
Lumpur (Malaysia) followed by a match between hosts Petronas and Indian
Young Cagers / Punjab Police. It was an easy game. Prior to inauguration
though, there were two games of great importance. Al Rayyan the Asian
incumbent champions had the better day, but champions two years ago
Saudia's Al Ittihad lost against tough Syrian competition from
Damscus-based Al Wehda. In details
Al Rayyan (Qatar)
- Aspac (Indonesia) 96-73 (19-19, 45-30, 70-53, 96-73)
In Group A match, Qatari Al
Rayyan was in good form tonight as Asian and Qatari All-star They also
had an edge as they had two import players on court to Indonesia's just
one. Perhaps had Aspac been able to use the services of the 6'10 Okenna
Chukuemeka Nwanko, who played in Darussafaka (Turkey), but he didn't
arrive because of travel complications. With him, they could have gained
a height advantage at least. Kevin Simmons, the original second import
player of Aspac was not available either. Thus the bigger advartage to
the champions Al Rayyan. Yaseen Ismail showed a huge game with 17 points
and 6 rebounds. Aspac's center Ikenna Chukuemenka Nwankankwo was very
productive as he made a double double 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Indonesian Aspac's foreign player
Rosell Ellis (199-F-75, college:
Mc Neese St.) made a double double himself with 21 points and an
amazing 20 rebounds. But still both Ike's and
Rosell Ellis (199-F-75, college:
Mc Neese St.)'s efforts were not left unanswered as Al Rayyan's foreign
duo Brandon Dwayne Spann and Willard
Sherell Ford (201-F-72, agent:
Gonzalez Mike, college:
Illinois-Chicago) made remarkable impact for a win.
Brandon Spann (186-G-81) made 33 points and brought in 7 rebounds
whereas his teammate, Willard Sherell Ford who sank another 25 points
and made 8 rebounds himself. Aspac were in the picture mainly in the
first quarter which they were able to finish 19-19. But by half they
were already far behind by 15 points 40-25.
Al Rayyan (96): Brandon
Dwayne Spann 33 pts 7 rebounds, Willard Sherrel Ford 25 pts 8 reb,
Yaseen Ismail 17 pts 6 reb, Ali Turki Ali 7, Saleh Ateeq 6, Hashem
Zaidan 6 points, Abu Bakr Muhammad 2 points.
Hewlett-Packard Aspac (73):
Rossell Ellis 21 points 20 rebounds, Denny Sumargo 18, Ikenna Nwankwo 16
pts 12 boards, Riko Hantono 9, Mario Wuysang 5, Romy C. Chandra 2,
Antonius Joko Endratmo 2.
Group B:
Al Wehda (Syria) -
Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) 90-78
Al Ittihad had started on a
wrong foot anyway as the Asian Basketball Confederation turned down John
Carter's application. Carter was a loan player from Al Hilal, but
apparently the paperwork was short and the legal ceeding papers were not
adequate to include him in the line-up. Apparently Carter did have some
time of play on conditiion that the Ittihad administration completes his
papers. The Saudi side was hit by another obstacle when the organizers
made objections on the color of the uniform worn by Al Ittihad. The team
was also hit by an incredibly high number of foul calls, argued Ibrahim
Barnawi, head of the Saudi delegation. He said if these undue presures
persist, they may seriously think of withdawing altogether. Regrdaing
the game, The Syrians were more effective and could edge ahead for a
very precious win. The Syrian adavnce was spearheaded by Andrew Pitts,
their loan player from Al Riyadi Beirut. He scored 24 points tonight.
The team is also fortified with two loan player from local Syrian teams,
namely Michel Maadanli of Al Jaysh and Mohammad al Imam from Al
Ittihad Aleppo. Walid al Madani was the best on the Saudi side. Both
Saudi foriegn players ahd a limited time of play because of foul
trouble.
Group B:
Petronas
(Malaysia) - Punjab Pollice Young Cagers (India) 101-69
(Half time 57-40)
The hosts Petronas had an
easy opener against a rather weak Indian representative for a resounding
win. Petronas established an early lead of 17 points at half. The indian
side just gave up in the second half for a 32 points loss no less.
Classification:
Group A:
1. Al Rayyan, Qatar 1-0 96-73
+23
2. Equal Muharraq (Bahrain)
0-0
2. Sangmu (S. Korea) 0-0
4. Aspac (Indonesia) 0-1
73-96 -23
Group B:
1. Petronas (Malaysia) 1-0
101-69 +32
2. Al Wehda (Syria) 1-0 90-78
+12
3. Sanam (Iran) 0-0
4. Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
0-1 78-90 -12
5. Punjab Police Young Cagers
(India) 0-1 101-69 -32
Historical -Asian
Champions:
As for titles, after Far
Eastern dominance was pervasive throughout the initial period. But the
last 4 titles have all gone to Arab Asian teams.
1st Games (1981) - August
First (China)
2nd (1984) - Northern Cement
(Philippines)
3rd (1988) - Swift PABL
(Philippines)
4th (1990) Liaoning (China)
5th (1992) Kia Motors (South
Korea)
6th (1995) PBL Andok
(Philippines)
7th (1996) Happee Toothpaste
(Philippines)
8th (1997) Regal (Hong Kong)
9th (1998) Hanwei (China)
10th (1999) Al Hekmeh Sagesse
(Lebanon)
11th (2000) Al Hekmeh Sagesse
(Lebanon)
12th (2001) Al Ittihad (Saudi
Arabia)
13th (2002) Al Rayyan (Qatar)
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