QATAR continued its inspired plays as it stepped up its quarterfinals drive with a decisive 75-61 lynching of Jordan on Monday at the start of the 27th Fiba-Asia men’s basketball second round play at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Five players scored in double figures led by Qatar’s naturalized big man Jarvis Hayes, who banged in 15 points, pulled down four rebounds and issued three assists in 32 minutes of play.
“We have to manage the playing time of our players because some of them are getting old,” said Qatar national coach Tom Wisman following his team’s third straight victory in the tournament.
Wisman said he wanted to keep his team fresh for Tuesday as Qatar next faces Gilas Pilipinas in a critical battle that could well determine both teams’ respective seedings in the succeeding rounds.
The Australian coach said he’s well aware of Gilas Pilipinas’ speed, something the Qataris are preparing for.
“We know they (Filipinos) are quick so we got to prepare for that, that is also why we will be watching their game against Japan,” added the Qatar national coach.
Meantime, the loss pushed the Jordanians to the brink of elimination with their third defeat in the tournament. The absence of several veteran internationalists from Jordan’s roster has affected the team that just two years ago finished a strong second to China in Wuhan.
Forward Yasseen Musa added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Daoud Mosa, Saeed Erfan Ali and Elhadary Mansour Atlif scored 13, 11 and 10, respectively for the Qataris.
The scores:
Qatar 75- Jarvis Hayes 15, Yasseen Musa 14, Daoud Mosa 13, Saeed Erfan Ali 11, Elhadary Mansour Atlif 10, Ali Ali Turki 5, Mohamed Mod 3, Saleem Abdullah Mohamed 2, Andi Khalid Suliman 2, Saleem Abdullah Malek 0
Jordan 61 - Hadrab Mohammad 16, Al-Sous Wesam 14, Baxter, Jimmy 12, Alfajarj Hani 5, Zaghab Ali Jamal 4, Hussein Mohammad Shaher 3, Abu Ruqayah Khaldoon 3, Al Dwairi Ahmad 2, Alhamarseh 2, Abdeen Mahmoud 0
quarter scores: 23-23, 42-38, 61-52, 75-61
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