2010-11 UBA season to begin

Taiwan's University Basketball Association (UBA) will tip off its 2010-11 season on Dec. 5 as National Taiwan Normal University is eying for its third straight title in the men's division while Chinese Cultural University is going after its fourth straight crown in the women's division.

The men's division starts on Dec. 5 and the women's division starts on Dec. 13, according to the Chinese Taipei University Sports Federation (CTUSF).

Sixteen teams will enter the men's division preliminary round, which will split the 16 teams into two eight-team group. Top three teams in each group advance to the quarterfinal while the 4th and 5th place teams vie for the remaining two seeds in the wildcard round.

Defending champion NTNU is still favored to win it all with its strong roster. The NTNU players include four active SBL players -- Chien Chia-hung of Pure Youth, Lo Yu-chun and Tsai Chun-ming of Dacin and Chang Jung-hsuan of Bank of Taiwan -- and promising underclassmen Sang Yi-ching, Chou Po-chen and Hung Kang-chiao.

Lo was the MVP in the UBA Finals last year. Sang Yi-ching and Hung Kang-chiao, both came from two-time defending high school champion Song-shan High School, were named high school MVPs in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

These facts pretty much tell you how strong a team NTNU really is.

In the women's division, 12 teams will be split into two six-team group in the preliminaries with top three teams automatically going to the quarterfinal. The remaining teams will play in the wildcard round for two quarterfinal seeds.

SBL import bios

Jason Faulknor
Height: 201cm / 6'7''
Nationality: Canadian
College: Bradley
Born: March 21, 1980 in Toronto, Ontario

1995-2000: Martingrove Collegiate, Toronto, ON
2000-2001: Bradley (NCAA): 1.9ppg, 1.9rpg
2001-2002: Bradley (NCAA): 19 games: 1.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 0.2apg
2002-2003: Bradley (NCAA): 9 games: 3.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 5ast
2003-2004: Bradley (NCAA): 29 games: 3.7ppg, 4.4rpg, 12ast
2005-2006: In Feb.'06 signed at Illiabum (Portugal-Proliga) to replace Renold Marcelline
2006, fall: Athletes in Action (touring team) North USA Tour
2006-2007: in Nov.'06 signed at Quad-City Riverhawks (ABA), left in Jan.'07, joined back the team in March'07
2008: October: Idaho Stampede (D-League) open tryout in Toronto
2009: Lakeside Lightnings (Australia-SBL, starting five)

==
Keith Gayden
Height: 202cm / 6'8''
College: Duquesne
Born: Dec.15, 1983

Chicago, Ill./Tilden (Kennedy-King (Ill.) College)
2004-2005: Duquesne (NCAA): 27 games: 5.2ppg, 4.0rpg, 11ast, FGP: 44.5%
2005-2006: Duquesne (NCAA): 27 games: 8.0ppg, 4.2rpg, FG: 43.1%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 67.1%
2007: Elgin Racers (IBL)
2007 July: Pepsi Pro Summer League in Orlando (Chicago Bulls)
2007 July: Pepsi Pro Summer League in Orlando (Chicago Bulls)
2007 October: Iowa Energy (D-League) training camp
2007-2008: Iowa Energy (D-League)
2008: Quad City Riverhawks (PBL, starting five): 12 games: 7.7rpg, in March moved to Elgin Racers (IBL, starting five): 16 games: 17.5ppg, 9.8rpg, 1.0apg
2008-2009: Venados de Nuevo Laredo (Mexico-LNBP, starting five): 44 games: 16.1ppg, Reb-3(8.3rpg), 1.5spg, 2FGP: 59.9%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 59.5%
2009: Fuerza Guinda Nogales (Mexico-CIBACOPA, starting five), left in April
2009-2010: In Nov.'09 signed at Karhu Kauhajoen (Finland-Korisliiga, starting five), left in Mar.'10: 7 games: 15.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 55.1%, FT: 39.1%
2010: Nacional De Futbol (Uruguay-Metropolitan, starting five)
2010-2011: Panteras de Aguascalientes (Mexico-LNBP, starting five)

==
Darryl Hepburn
Height: 205cm / 6'9''
College: Fairmont St.
Born: Dec.12, 1980

2002-2003: Fairmont State (NCAA2) 14.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 65% FG
2003-2004: Fairmont State (NCAA2)
2005: Tuberos de Colima (Mexico-LNBP, starting five): 35g 16.8ppg 8.1rpg 1.2apg 57.2%2p
2005-2006: Pittsburgh Xplosion (ABA), left in Jan.'06
2007: Summer: Doha Invitational Interational Tournament (US Select / Team Unity)
2007 June: Bay Pro-Am Summer League (Tampa Bay Sharks team)
2007 July: Tampa Bay Sharks (exhibition team) Argentina and Mexico Tour
2008-2009: Saitama Broncos (Japan-BJ League), Japanese League: 18 games: 5.5ppg, 5.8rpg, FGP: 44.3%, FT: 50.0%; in Jan.'09 moved to Bravos Piedras Negras - Eagle Pass (Mexico-LNBP, starting five): 1 game: 10pts, 6reb, 1ast, 1steal
2009: In Feb.09 signed at Santa Ana (Dominican Rep.-SFMRL, starting five)

==
Marcus Dove
Height: 206cm / 6'9''
Nationality: USA
College: Oklahoma St.
Born: June 17, 1985, in Bellflower, Calif.

Long Beach, CA / Millikan HS
2004-2005: Oklahoma St. (NCAA): 17 games: 1.2ppg, 1.1rpg, FGP: 63.6%, 3PT: 1-1, FT: 6-9
2005-2006: Oklahoma St. (NCAA, starting five): 22 games: 3.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 65.1%, FT: 75.7%
2006-2007: Oklahoma St. (NCAA, starting five): 33 games: 4.7ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 62.5%
2007-2008: Oklahoma St. (NCAA, starting five): 33 games: 9.5ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.2apg, 1.9spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 65.3%
2008 June: Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings (NBA) pre-draft workouts
2008 July: NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (Memphis Grizzlies)
2008: Drafted by Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry (CBA,3rd(14))
2008-2009: VOO Verviers-Pepinster (Belgium-D1, starting five): 32 games: 10.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.0apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 7.7%, FT: 56.4%
2009 July: NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (Oklahoma City Thunder)
2009: Drafted by Dakota Wizards (D-League,3rd(43))
2009-2010: Dakota Wizards (D-League), left in Feb.'10: 44 games: 9.0ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 51.5%, FT: 59.0%

==
Emmanuel Jones
Height: 200cm / 6'7''
Nationality: USA
College: UTPA
Born: Sep.7, 1985

Washington, DC / Southern Vance HS
2005-2007: Riverside CC
2007-2008: UTPA (NCAA): 22 games: 9.3ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 54.8%, FT: 67.1%
2008-2009: UTPA (NCAA, starting five): 26 games: 17.7ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 65.9%
2009: Team Lugano (Eurobasket Summer League in Las Vegas, starting five)
2009-2010: Idaho Stampede (D-League): 26 games: 5.5ppg, 3.5rpg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 13.8%, FT: 75.0%; in Apr.'10 moved to Austin Toros (D-League): 1 game: 0pts, 1ast

==
Sheldon Bailey
Height: 198cm / 6'6''
Nationality: USA
College: Florida Intern.
Born: May 26, 1983

2001-2002: Winthrop (NCAA): 31 games: 2.5ppg, 1.6rpg, FGP: 49.1%, FT: 38.5%
2002-2003: Winthrop (NCAA): 30 games: 3.8ppg, 2.8rpg, FGP: 49.5%, FT: 32.6%
2003-2004: Florida Intern (NCAA): Did Not Play – Transfer Student
2004-2005: Florida Intern. (NCAA): 17 games: 3.4ppg, 2.5rpg, FGP: 44.0%, FT: 38.2%
2005: June: Total Basketball Camp in Andorra
2006: Brooklyn Kings (USBL), in June moved to Northeastern Pennsylvania Breakers (USBL), but left very shortly, tested also by Long Island Primetime (USBL): 1 game: 5.0pts, 5.0reb, 1.0steal
2006: VCU Invitational Showcase
2006: Asociación Deportiva Naval Marina (Ecuador-Guayas League): 31ppg, 11rpg
2006: September: Luxbasket camp in Wiltz
2006-2007: Albany Patroons (CBA): 15 games: 1.8ppg, 1.9rpg, FGP: 68.4%, FT: 1-6, in Jan.'07 moved to Hollywood Fame (ABA)
2007 July: Summer Pro-Am League in Long Beach (Orange County Players)
2007-2008: Shanghai Dongfang Sharks (China-CBA), in Nov.'07 moved to Atletico Aguada (Uruguay-LUB)
2007: Santa Barbara (IBL)
2008 May: USBA/IBL exposure camp in Blue River, OR
2008: Santa Barbara Breakers (WCBL): 10 games: 3.7ppg, 5.1rpg
2009, August: EnFuego Hoops Showcase LNBP Camp in San Diego, Ca.

SBL imports situation

Marcus Dove

According to the Apple Daily, six of seven SBL teams have hired imports and the defending champion Yulon Luxgen is likely to enter the new season without any import again.

Imports in Taiwan (Two under testing):

Marcus Dove (Taiwan Mobile)
College: Oklahoma State
Age: 25
Height: 200cm
Estimated monthly salary: US$10,000

Keith Gayden (Dacin)
College: Duquensne
Age: 27
Height: 198cm
Estimated Monthly Salary: US$7,000

Emmanuel Jones (Taiwan Beer)
College: Texas-Pan American
Age: 25
Height: 196cm
Estimated Monthly Salary: US$6,000

Darryl Hepburn (Pure Youth)
College: Fairmont State
Age: 30
Height: 199cm
Estimated Monthly Salary: Under testing

Jason Faulknor (Bank of Taiwan)
College: Bradley
Age: 30
Height: 196cm
Estimated Monthly Salary: US$6,000

Sheldon Bailey (KKL)
College: Florida International
Age: 27
Height: 196cm
Estimated Monthly Salary: Under testing

Looks like Pure Youth did not sign Zach Atkinson as previously reported. I haven't heard that the league has made any changes to its height limit of 200cm. However, Dove and Hepburn were both listed at 205cm instead of 199cm, according to the stats from Eurobasket.com. I guess these teams made false reports about their heights.

CTBA releases schedule, rosters for 2011 SBL season

Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA) released the complete schedule and team rosters for the 2011 Super Basketball League (SBL) season Thursday as the new season is scheduled to tip off on Dec. 25.

A total of 105 games will be played in the regular season from Dec. 25, 2010 to March 20, 2011 in four venues across the country, including Sinjhuang Stadium in the newly formed Xinbei City, Yilan University Gymnasium in the eastern city of Yilan, Taipei Gymnasium in downtown Taipei City and Fengshan Gymnasium in the southern city of Fengshan, Kaohsiung.

Every team will play a 30-game regular season, meeting each of its six opponents five times.

The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, which is scheduled to be played from March 23, 2011 to April 17. Starting from this season, the first round playoffs will adopt the best-of-seven format as well as the finals.

One import player is allowed for every team. The import registration deadline is on Feb. 12, 2011, which means that teams are free to change their imports before that day.

Former Taiwan Beer star forward Lin Chih-chieh and former Yulon point guard Lee Hsueh-lin were not among the final rosters because they will spend the 2011 season in China. Sun Hwan-po, last season's rookie of the year, left Bank of Taiwan for unknown reasons.

According to the CTBA, four of the seven teams were set on their import players -- Zachary Atkinson with Pure Youth, Jason Faulknor with Bank of Taiwan, Keith Gayden with Dacin and an unidentified player with Taiwan Mobile. I'm still checking on his name.

One thing to note though. According to various sources of information, Atkinson was listed at 206cm, which exceeds the SBL's original height limit of 200cm. I'm not sure whether the league has altered or abandoned the height limit. Will check up on that as well.

I will post the full schedule and the full rosters on this blog as soon as possible.

Disappointing finish for Taiwan women's NT in Guangzhou

Taiwan women's NT nearly overcame a 18-point deficit but came up short in the end, losing to Japan 73-61 in the bronze medal game in the 2010 Guangzhou Asiad, which concluded on Nov. 27.

Down 30-22 at the half, Taiwan trailed by as many as 42-24 before Liu Chun-yi scored 11 straight and Wen Chi made a pair of threes to make the score 55-43 entering the final period.

Taiwan  rallied behind a 15-0 run to take a three-point lead, 58-55. However, it managed to score three more points in the final six and a half minutes.

Taiwan failed to win a medal after securing a silver in 2006 and a bronze in 2002.

Wen Chi and Liu Chun-yi scored 21 each. Liu pulled down seven rebounds. Center Tsai Pei-chen had nine points, four steals and three blocks.

Chiang Feng-chun, who always played well against Japan, had a disappointing game, scoring two points on 1-for-6 shooting and committing six turnovers.

Japan was led by Nagi Yoko's 26 points.

One thing to note, there was no player on Taiwan's women's NT this year coming from the perennial champion Cathay Life, which did not play in the 2010 WSBL season over its protest of Chunghwa Telecom's controversial recruitment of Chiang Feng-chun.

Taiwan men's basketball setback in Guangzhou goes unnoticed

Taipei, Nov. 24 (CNA) Taiwan men's national basketball team dropped out of the quarterfinal this week, losing to the Philippines and finishing with one win and four losses in the preliminary round of the competition at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

However, the loss was not widely reported in Taiwan, as it appeared to have been overshadowed by the controversial disqualification of Taiwanese taekwondo athlete Yang Shu-chun, an issue that has been the center of media attention for the past week.

Huang Chao-he, secretary-general of the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA), said that the association was expecting non-stop calls from disgruntled fans the day after Taiwan lost 82-73 to the Philippines on Nov. 22.

However, the CTBA did not get any irate calls, despite the fact that it was the first time that Taiwan was knocked out of the final eight in Asiad men's basketball.

Yang's return to Taipei from Guangzhou on Nov. 23 probably eclipsed the basketball team's loss, Huang said.

But while the CTBA may have gained some breathing space, it still has to figure out why its men's team won only one game -- against India -- and lost to Japan, Qatar, Iran and the Philippines, Huang said.

The 2010 Taiwan's men's national basketball team was hampered by the absence of 2.04-meter starting center Tseng Wen-ting, who skipped the event because of injury.

The team's poor showing marred the debut of Taiwan head coach Zhang Xulei, who grew up in China and played for the Chinese national team in his 20's, and was a setback for the CTBA in its plan to nurture local coaches.

South Korean head coach Chung Kwang-suk led Taiwan to fifth place in the 2009 FIBA Asia men's basketball championship, its best finish in the tournament since 1999.

Asian Games: Taiwan out of quarterfinals

Taiwan men's NT lost to Iran and the Philippines to finish 1-4 in the preliminaries and was out of the Asian Games quarterfinal round.

Taiwan lost to the Philippines 82-73 in a battle for the quarterfinal berth on Monday. Lin Chih-chieh had a team-high 21 points while Wu Tai-hao added 20. Lee Hsueh-lin tallied 19 points and 9 rebounds.

Tien Lei, who was bothered by his sprained ankle did not score in 14 minutes.

On Sunday, Taiwan made 12 threes and forced Iran to 22 turnovers but was unable to stop Iranian center A. Kardoustpoustinsaraei, who tallied 22 points and 16 points, in a 73-72 loss.

Taiwan still had the chance to win. However, Tien Lei, Taiwan's go-to man for the second straight game, failed to knock down the potential winning shot. Tien, who also failed to make the final shot in the game vs. Qatar, said after the game that he was fouled in the last possession but didn't get the whistle.

Lin Chih-chieh led the team with 22 points. Wu Tai-hao had 12 and Lee Hsueh-lin had 10. Taiwan was outrebounded 34-16.

Men's Standing:
Group E
China 5-0
South Korea 4-1
Jordan 3-2
North Korea 2-3
Mongolia 1-4
Uzbekistan 0-5

Group F
Japan 4-1
Iran 4-1
Philippines 3-2
Qatar 3-2
Taiwan 1-4
India 0-5

Quarterfinals:
South Korea vs. Philippines
Japan vs. North Korea
Iran vs. Jordan
China vs. Qatar

Women's Standings:
Group A
China 3-0
South Korea 2-1
Thailand 1-2
India 0-3

Group B
Japan 2-0
Taiwan 1-1
Maldives 0-2

Semifinals:
Japan vs. South Korea
China vs. Taiwan

(Photos: Liberty times, UDN.com)

A wire news story on TB's CBA plan

Is the trend really inevitable? I don't know. And I hope it's not…

Taiwan basketball team's China bid sparks 'brawn drain' fear

by Amber Wang – Sun Nov 21, 1:36 am ET

TAIPEI (AFP) – A leading Taiwanese basketball team's bid to join China's professional league has intensified concerns on the island that it is suffering a "brawn drain" to its giant neighbour.

The Taiwan Beer side, championship winners in 2006-7 and 2007-8, recently announced that it wants to play in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league, adding to an emerging exodus of players heading for the mainland.

"We cannot stop players from making the most of their limited athletic lives but rather than losing one after another to Chinese teams, our team could join the CBA," said head coach Richard Yan.

The team, named after the signature product of its main sponsor, Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corp., would attract more backers and offer better deals to players once in the CBA, he said.

The plan raised a few eyebrows, with basketball authorities saying they opposed the team moving its big shots to China while leaving junior players in Taiwan's Super Basketball League (SBL).

"Of course we hope top players stay in Taiwan... We don't want the SBL to become a sideshow to the CBA," said Huang Chao-her, secretary-general of the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association.

While the association does not bar individual players from moving to China, it would be difficult for the Taiwan Beer team to get the green light because it has a state-funded sponsor, Huang said.

"Such a move would require the approval of various government agencies in charge of sports, labour, finance and China affairs. It is a very complicated matter," said Huang.

Several top coaches reportedly backed Taiwan Beer, saying it is inevitable for local teams to tap into China's vast market in the wake of dwindling box office income and funding.

For years Taiwan's top athletes have gone to powerhouses such as the United States and Japan in the hope of taking their careers to the next level, but increasing they are setting their sights on China.

"The trend of going to China is unstoppable," said Chu Yen-shuo, a Beijing-based Taiwanese sport critic and former chief editor of Hoop Taiwan magazine.

"Just like many European players joined the NBA, it's only natural that people want to move where there is more money," he said, adding top Chinese players can earn up to five times more than their Taiwanese peers.

Lin Chih-chieh, a former star forward of Taiwan Beer, was among the players and coaches who jumped on the bandwagon when he joined the Guangsha Lions in eastern Zhejiang province last year.

"China's environment is more competitive. There are more teams and I can vie with top Chinese and foreign players," Lin told AFP in a telephone interview.

"It's a great opportunity to improve myself and boost my career. At my age it's now or never for me to take on the challenge," said the 28-year-old.

Basketball -- both America's NBA and the homegrown game -- is wildly popular in China, with hundreds of millions of Chinese regularly watching NBA matches on television.

Dozens of US players are playing in China's professional leagues, with the highest-profile addition being the former NBA All Star Stephon Marbury, who joined the Shanxi Brave Dragons this year.

Lin warned that Taiwanese players need to brace themselves for a major challenge if they want to play in the stressful and physically demanding Chinese league.

Huang, of Taiwan's basketball association, cited the case of Sina Lions as a warning about the dangers of wishful thinking about China.

The first Taiwanese team to join the CBA quit in 2003 after only two years, blaming adjustment problems, he said.

China is also wooing the island's top talents in other fields such as baseball and billiards, as a recent improvement in ties between two sides spills over into sports.

But Beijing hit a nerve when it reportedly went after the island's sport icon, golf queen Yani Tseng, with a five-million-US-dollar annual sponsorship deal. The world's number two golfer has said she will only play for Taiwan.

The more alarming development for local fans is perhaps in baseball, where Taiwanese coaches have been credited with having played an important part in China's rise in the sport.

Since splitting from China six decades ago, Taiwan has lost to its giant rival in nearly every sporting arena, but had prided itself over its prowess in baseball.

That confidence has been shattered, with the Taiwanese squad suffering humiliating defeats to China in two international matches since 2008, at a time when the island's favourite sport was hit by game-rigging scandals.

It is unclear how many Taiwanese are currently coaching in China but local media reported this year that Chinese teams were planning to recruit at least 20 new coaches from the island.

Taiwan's pro-baseball league reportedly also intends to establish a new team in China, which will consist of players from both sides and could travel to Taiwan to play.

The league's officials were not immediately available for comment.

Subpar performance for Taiwan so far in Guangzhou Asiad

Taiwan women's NT lost to Japan 69-59 Saturday after routing Maldives 127-23 in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

It's almost certain that Taiwan will meet Group A leader, either China or South Korea, in the Nov. 24 semifinal match with a runner-up finish in Group B behind Japan, which will meet A2 in the semis.

Chiang Feng-chun led Taiwan in the losing effort with 16 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks. Wen Chi had 14 points and Liu Chun-yi added 10 points.

Japan was led by Yuko Oga's 15 points and six assists. Maki Takada and Hiromi Suwa scored 12 each.

Women's Standings:

Group A
China 2-0
South Korea 2-0
Thailand 0-2
India 0-2

Group B
Japan 1-0
Taiwan 1-1
Maldives 0-1

Meanwhile, Taiwan men's NT lost 72-70 to Qatar Friday and is now tied 1-2 with the Philippines in Group E. Looks like Taiwan and the Philippines will have to fight for the last quarterfinal seed in the group.

Lu Cheng-ju was 5 of 7 from three and scored 23 points to pace Taiwan, which also received 18 points from Tien Lei and 11 from Lin Chih-chieh.

Lu made two threes in the third period to cut the deficit to one and scored 11 to help Taiwan close in the gap again in the final quarter. Trailing 69-68, Tien Lei was stripped of the ball on his baseline drive as Taiwan failed to score on its last possession.

Without center Tseng Wen-ting, Taiwan was pounded on the boards, outrebounded 44-29 by Qatar.

Targuay Alban Ngombo led Qatar with 23 points and 11 rebounds while veteran Yaseen Musa had 15 and 12.

The quarterfinal round will use a knock-out format with F4 meets E1, for example.

Men's Standings:

Group E
China 3-0
South Korea 3-0
Jordan 2-1
Mongolia 1-2
North Korea 0-3
Uzbekistan 0-3

Group F
Japan 3-0
Iran 2-1
Qatar 2-1
Taiwan 1-2
Philippines 1-2
India 0-3

(Photo: Liberty times)

Taiwan 1-1 in Asian Games men's basketball

Taiwan had an easy 93-66 win over India after losing to Japan 63-57 in the opener to split its first two games of the 2010 Asian Games men's basketball competition in Guangzhou, China.

On Wednesday, Lin Chih-chieh had 23 points and Tien added 20 in the rout. Yang Ching-min scored 13 pooints and point guard Lee Hsueh-lin dished out 10 assists to go with five points.

India was led by Jagdeep Singh's 22 points.

Taiwan was not so fortunate the previous night, when it committed 15 turnovers against Japan, which took advantage of Taiwan's carelessness for 14 fastbreak points. Japan also dominated the paint, scoring 44 points in the restricted area against Taiwan's 24.

Taiwan managed to pull within 24-23 at the half after a dismal first quarter, during which it only scored seven points. However, the team could not match up against the more prepared Japanese inside, especially after losing starting center Tseng Wen-ting, who didn't go to Guangzhou with the team due to injury.

Ryota Sakurai scored nine of his 12 points in the crucial fourth quarter to lift Japan for the victory. Joji Takeuchi paced the team with 15 points and 13 rebounds while his twin brother Kosuke Takeuchi also had a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards.

Yuta Tabuse had 10 points for the winner.

Taiwan has to finish in the top four of the six-team Group F to advance to the knockout quarterfinal round. After the loss to Japan, it needs to beat at least one team among Qatar, Iran and the Philippines to ensure the knockout round berth.

Asian Games standings as of Nov. 17

Group E
South Korea 2-0
China 2-0
Jordan 1-1
Mongolia 101
North Korea 0-2
Uzbekistan 0-2

Group F
Japan 2-0
Qatar 1-1
Taiwan 1-1
Iran 1-1
Philippines 1-1
India 0-2

(Photos: Liberty Times)