JAKARTA (FIBA Asia Champions Cup): Korean Army outfit Sangmoo outscored their opponents 18-8 in the final five minutes and eked out a 69-66 win over Kuwaiti league champions Al Qadsia in a pivotal Group B game at the 20th FIBA Asia Champions Cup on Thursday.

Sangmoo, who had lost both their previous outings – to Smart Gilas and Al Riyadi – thus bounced back into contention for a place in the quarterfinals.

Al Qadsia, who had lost to Al Riyadi in their opening game, now face the daunting task of needing to win either of their two remaining games – against the mighty Mahram or the speedy Smart Gilas – to remain in the race for a place in the play-offs.

Hee Jong Yang, with a 66.67% success rate in field, including converting four of his six three-pointer attempts, led Sangmoo’s scoring with a game-high 26 points – nine of them in the final five minutes.

Hee’s contribution to his side’s scoring rate was exemplified by the fact that when he drew a blank during a mid-game slump in the third quarter Sangmoo suffered a 7-18 disadvantage.

Qadsia scored the first seven points of the game, but struggled thereafter with their offensive rhythm and trailed for the entire first half.

The Kuwaiti club seemed to have found their rhythm, when they managed a six-point lead going into the final ten minutes.

Qadsia were leading 58-51 with 5:13 left, when Sangmoo unleashed their final blow and raced away to their maiden win.

“Our offense let us down,” said Qadsia coach Jordancho Davitkov.

“Defense-wise, we were alright, but our shooting was awful. We gave too many turnovers and they scored too many easy points.”

Sangmoo’s scored 24 points off Qadsia’s 21 turnovers. Sangmoo had 12 turnovers.

Qadsia’s American import Mike Harris scored only two of his team-high 22 points and Ahmad Albrahim only three of his 20 points.

“Obviously I’m very happy with the result,” said Sangmoo coach Lee Hun Jae.

“More importantly, we showed a lot of method throughout, especially after we trailed at the end of the third quarter,” he added.

“I think the boys were a little worn out in the third quarter. But I’m glad they showed out a lot of character.”

“I hope this win puts us in the quarterfinals,” the coach said.

Scores

Sangmoo 69 (Hee Jong Yang 26, Bong Su Kim 14, Gu Young Park 10) bt Al Qadsia 66 (Mike Harris 22, Ahmad Albrahim 20). Quarterwise Scores: 20-18, 39-34, 46-52.

S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia