TOKUSHIMA (Japan), Aug 1: Two-time former champions South Korea, Lebanon and Iran all notched a second straight victory to secure their places in the semi-finals at the Asian men’s basketball championship on Wednesday.

The Koreans, seeking to regain the title they last won in 1997, breezed past Japan 93-83 to lead the Group Two four-team round robin ahead of Japan, Kazakhstan and Jordan, who all have a 1-1 record.

Lebanon, the 2001 and 2005 silver medallists at the tournament, defeated Taiwan 95-64, while Iran were 95-87 winners over Qatar. Lebanon and Iran both advance to the semi-finals from Group One, leaving Taiwan and Qatar out of luck.

In Group Two earlier on Wednesday, Jordan overcame a 14-point deficit to beat Kazakhstan.

The top two teams from Groups One and Two will play in the semi-finals, vying for only one ticket to the Beijing Olympics next year. The two best finishers, other than the winner and Summer Games hosts China, will be eligible for the final Olympic qualifying round in July next year.

In the playoffs for ninth place, China and the Philippines remained unbeaten with a 2-0 record. China overwhelmed Indonesia 102-47 and the Philippines whipped India 104-69.

In other action, Syria outclassed Kuwait 109-69, while Hong Kong defeated the United Arab Emirates 87-64. Kuwait, Syria, Indonesia and Hong Kong have a 1-0 record ahead of winless India and the UAE. —AFP