Tuesday, July 25, 2000

Taiwan Junior NT in Asian Championship Final Four

Led by former Korean NT coach Chung Kwang Suk, Taiwan Junior NT edged Japan 78-73 and advanced to the final four of the 16th Asian Championship for Junior Men in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Bulky forward Hsu Cheng-Wen surprised with his 17 points performance and helped Taiwan NT overcome a late Japanese comeback.

Taiwan led the game throughout and held a 76-64 advantage with 1:34 remaining, but Japan knocked down three three-pointers within one minute and cut the deficit to three points. PG Huang Chih-Chun iced the game with two clutch free-throws in the waning seconds.

Taiwan NT will face South Korea in the cross-over semifinal later tonight, while China takes on Japan in the other semi. Winners advance to the championship game.

Previous Results
(Preliminary Round)
July 18 - defeated Saudi Arabia 74-69(41-36 Halftime)
Hsu Tse-Hsin 19p, Tien Lai 17p+8rb, Ho Shou-Cheng 14p, Huang Chih-Chun 6p+4a

July 19 - defeated Lebanon 99-69(54-40)
Chou Shih-Yung 17p, Tien Lei 16p, Chao Chia-Chun 16p

July 20 - defeated Iran 84-82

July 22 - defeated Hong Kong 115-54(56-37)

(Second Round)
July 23 - defeated Kuwait 96-82(40-25)...clinched semifinal birth
Tien Lei 14p, Chao Chia-Chun 14p, Huang Chih-Chun 11p, Hsu Tse-Shin 11p, Hsu Hao-Cheng 10p

July 25 - defeated Japan 78-73(44-41)
Hsu Cheng-Wen 17p, Huang Chih-Chun 13p, Tien Lei 12p, Lin Chih-Chieh 12p