Lebanese basketball national team, ended his participation in “31st William Jones Cup Tournament “ (18-26 July) in Taiwan by 6 triumphs and 2 loss. Now they have moved toward a new camp in Manilla, where they will finish preparation before participating in “Fiba Asia Championship”, which will be held in Tianjin, China, August 6th and 16th.
The Lebanese head coach the Serbian Dragan Raca, was in a difficult situation during Taiwan’s tournament, due to the instability of his players especially that the new naturalized player, American Jackson Vroman, did not participate in the first three games because he was at NBA summer camp. Whereas Matt Freije joined the N.T. during the last two games, for the same reasons as Vroman’s, though he has shown an amazing capacity in offense and defense and fast adaptation which left the technical stuff comfortable after the last game against South Korea.
The Lebanese team showed different levels in Taiwan, and they faced a problem to maintain one level even in the same game, which cost them the defeat against Iran (81-70) after they dominating the game for 35 minutes by 10 points. On the contrary in their last game against Korea, Lebanese players, showed a “super” basketball, especially in 3rd and 4th quarter which allowed them to crush their opponents 97-79.
Matt Freije, was outstandingly incredible, with 39 points, 6 from 8 on 3 points line, added to them 12 rebounds, while the “Tiger” Fadi El Khatib, was a real leader, with 16 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, as Vroman added 21 points and 7 rebounds.
Another new player is expected to join our N.T in Manilla’s camp: the New Mexico’s University center the promising player Daniel Faris, (22 years-old, 2,06cm- height) who is expected to be a big support for the Cedars Team especially that he has a strong presence under the basket.
Lebanon, will start his trip in Fiba Asia in group stage, by facing the Jordanian team, who was great in Jones Cup, by 7-1 record, the only defeat was against Iran after withdrawing from the game due to a protest against the referee’ decisions. Later they will play, against United Arabic Emirates, and then Indonesia.
Results in 31st William Jones Cup:
- 18/7: Taiwan B - Lebanon 61-93
- 19/7: Lebanon - Japan 90-81
- 20/7: Lebanon - Jordan 63-73
- 21/7: Lebanon – Kazakhstan 77-73
- 22/7:Phillipines-Lebanon 83-95
- 23/7:Taiwan-Lebanon 78-91
- 24/7: Lebanon - Iran 70-81
- 25/7:Lebanon-Korea 97-79
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