Taiwan U-18 NT lost a hard-fought battle to Lebanon, 91-101, in the first second round game of the Asian U-18 Men’s Championship. With the loss, Taiwan has to win the next two games versus China and Hong Kong to advance to the semifinals.
Taiwan is placed in the same group with China, Lebanon and Hong Kong in the second round. Kazakhstan, Iran, India and Korea are in the other group.
Taiwan beat Japan, 92-81, in the second prelim following a 116-76 blowout win over Kyrgyzstan. In the last prelim, Taiwan couldn’t contain Iran’s 7-6 big man Jaber Rouzbahani, who tallied 31 points, and lost the game, 56-76. Taiwan finished 2-1 in the preliminary round.
Paul Coughter, head coach of Lebanon Junior NT, coached three years in Taiwan and was the most successful coach in Taiwanese pro ball history. Coughter led Hong-kuo Elephants to three consecutive championships in now-defunct pro league CBA(Chinese Basketball Alliance).