Asian Games: Iran Basketball Team Defeats Philippines
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Mighty Iran defeated the Philippines 68-63 during its preliminary round of the basketball tournament of the Incheon 2014 Asian Games on Thursday.
Samad Nikkhah Bahrami led Iran with 21 points while Haddadi chipped in 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Paul Lee spearheaded the fight for the Philippines with 11 points but he missed two crucial jumpers late in the game. Douthit had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds while Norwood added nine markers.
The last time Iran lost to the Philippines in an international meet was in the 2012 Jones Cup, where the Persians were defeated 77-75.
Iran opened the campaign with a 76-41 victory over India on Wednesday.
Team Melli has been scheduled to face Japan on Friday at the Samsan World Gymnasium.
Some 9,500 athletes from 45 countries are competing at the Games, the world's second-biggest multi-sport event after the summer Olympics, with 439 gold medals in 36 sports up for grabs.
Iran has participated in the games with 276 athletes in 22 sports.