KIM Mingoo vs SULTANOV Timur and KLIMOV Dmitry. PHOTO BY NUKI SABIO/PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Korea clamped down on defense in the second half to handily beat Kazakhstan, 71-47, in Group F in the second round of the 27th FIBA Asia men’s Championship late Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Koreans, who got 14 points each from Kim Mingoo and Kim Sunhyung, held the Kazakhs to just 20 points in the second half.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia finished in 13th place after trouncing Thailand, 93-80, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Fahad Belal led the Saudis with 21 points while Marzouq Al-Muwallad came away with 20 points and 10 assists.
Naturalized point guard Jerri Johnson paced Kazakhstan with 15 points but was held scoreless in the second half.
Korea maintained its second-place position behind Group F leader Iran, which has yet to lose in four games.