Taiwan demolish Malaysia in Johor Baru

2009/11/21

Malaysia knew it was going to be tough from the beginning and their fears were proven right when Taiwan ran riot to score a 114-78 win in their Fiba Asia U-16 basketball championship at the Johor Baru City Council Stadium last night. In fact the signs weren't encouraging at all from the tipoff as the Taiwanese raced to a 12-6 lead at the end of the opening five minute period with their tall centre Chen Kuan Chuan and forward Chen Ying Chun leading the assault.

Their technical superiority was all too clear to see as the Malaysians struggle to cope with their opponents’ speed and variety, providing little resistance as Taiwan piled up the points.

Only Loh Shee Weng, M a l ay s i a ’s trumpcard, offered a glimmer of hope with his strength under the basket but his contribution of 32 points was still not enough.

Ta i wa n ’s Ying Chun top scored with 23 points.

“We lost to a better team tonight (last night). But we will learn from the experience and improve ourselves.

No doubt we lost but I think we never gave up,” said coach Chua Kok Kian.

Malaysia play Iran today in their final Group D match needing to score a victory to keep their second round hopes alive but deep inside the Malaysians know what lies ahead.

The Iranians with their physical built are already through to the second round, having beaten Taiwan 87-74 on Thursday and the Thais 71- 36 yesterday to confirm their ber th.

The Philippines are also through to the next round after their second successive win today in their 76-50 win over Kazakstan in their Group B match today. They had beaten Japan 64-59 on Thur sday.

RESULTS —Group A: India 50 Saudi Arabia 44; Group B: Bahrain 85 Japan 84, Philippines 76 Kazakstan 50; Group C: Korea 91 Kuwait 50; Group D: Iran 71 Thailand 36, Taiwan 114 Malaysia 78.