July 31, 2007	Tuesday	Rajab 15, 1428

TOKUSHIMA (Japan), July 30: Lebanon, Taiwan and Jordan on Monday advanced to the second round of the Asian men’s basketball championship, keeping their Olympic dreams alive for 2008.

Lebanon overwhelmed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 106-64, with Fadi Elkhatib pouring on 37 points, as the team finished second in Group B.

In Group D, Taiwan beat Hong Kong 98-81, while Jordan defeated the Philippines in Group A with both taking the second place.

The three squads join South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Qatar and Iran, who secured their places in the second round on Sunday.

The biggest surprise came from four-time defending champions China, who have not missed a medal since 1975 winning 14 times. They lost to Iran 77-68 to finish with three straight defeats at the bottom in Group A.

In Group C, India gained their first win 72-66 over Indonesia, but it came too late with Qatar and Kazakhstan, who were to play each other later on Monday, already assured of the top two places.

On Sunday, two-time former champions Japan avenged their loss to Lebanon two years ago in the championship.

The Japanese, seeking an Olympic berth for the first time since 1976, pulled off a narrow 77-67 win over the 2006 silver medallists in the four-team Group B preliminary round for a second straight win.

Lebanon had a 1-1 win-loss record to be tied with Kuwait, who picked up a one-point victory over the winless UAE 69-68 earlier on Sunday. China’s hopes of winning their fifth straight championship were dashed when they bowed to the Philippines 79-74, while Iran defeated Jordan 60-54 in Group A.

Kazakhstan trounced India 97-74 and Qatar overwhelmed Indonesia 86-45 in Group C, while two-time former champions South Korea downed Taiwan 85-70 and Hong Kong were narrow 104-100 winners over Syria in Group D.

Sixteen countries were divided into four groups for the preliminary round and the top two from each group advanced to the second stage.

The tournament winners qualify for the Beijing Olympics next year. The two best finishers, other than Olympic hosts China and the winners, will be eligible for the final Olympic qualifying round next July. —AFP