NIKKAH BAHRAMI Samad of Iran (light) vs ALFARAJ Hani and AL DWAIRI Ahmad H. A. PBA IMAGES / NUKI SABIO
MANILA, Philippines — Iran nabbed the first semifinals berth in the 27th FIBA Asia men’s championship after dismantling Jordan, 94-50, Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Iran continued to steamroll past its opponents and likewise showed no mercy against Jordan, the same nation which knocked them out of the 2011 Asian championships.
But Aren Davoudichegani, speaking at the post-game interview, said the memory of that bitter defeat did not have anything to do with their merciless showing this year.
“We don’t have that in mind. We just continue with our goals,” he said.
Star center Hamed Hadadi led with 20 points, before cramping up late in the game, as the Iranians blew the game wide open from the opening period and never relented.
Hamed Afagh added 18 markers for Iran, which was cheered on by hundreds of bustling fans at the venue.
Only naturalized player Jimmy Baxter, meanwhile, barged into the double-digit column with 13 points for Jordan, which never recovered from a 31-9 beating in the first period.
“As a player there’s not much I could say. We played bad. I’m disappointed,” said a frustrated Wesam Al-Sous.