Bahrami leads Iran’s second half surge to beat Bahrain

Iran’s VEISI Saman (dark) vs ALDERAZI Mohamed and AMAN Ahmed PBA IMAGES/NUKI SABIO

MANILA, Philippines – Asian power Iran restored order in the second half to beat Bahrain 75-56 in the second phase of the 27th FIBA Asia men’s Championship Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Iran, which won the tournament in 2007 and 2009, squandered an early 17-point lead while its key players Hamed Hadadi, Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, Hamed Afagh and Mahdi Kamrani on the bench.

With Bahrain, which outscored Iran, 21-7, in the second quarter to get back into the game, posing as a surprise threat, the Iranians fielded its starting five back in that quickly change the complexion of the match.

The sharp-shooting Afagh opened up the third period with a left corner triple followed by Bahrami’s own trey from the top of the key to kickstart a 28-6 tear that stretched the lead to 25, 58-33, with 2:35 left in the quarter.

The seven-foot-two Hadadi, the two-time tournament MVP in 2007 and 2009, then scored on a short hook shot before Afagh, who had four three-pointers, drained another trey from the same spot to make it, 63-41, entering the final frame.

The six-foot-six Bahrami scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and had five assists and two steals for Iran, which assured itself of a quarterfinals slot with a 4-0 record to lead Group F.

Afagh added 15 points while Hadadi had nine points, eight rebounds and two blocks in just 17 minutes. Kamrani, the veteran playmaker, scored nine points and dished out 11 assists.

Iran played its usual game with its unselfishness and crisp ball movement – assisting on 24 out of its 27 baskets.