CHENNAI: Australia successfully defended their FIBA U18 Asia Cup title after beating China 89-79 in the final at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium in Ahmedabad late on Sunday.
Also known as the ‘Emus,’ the Australians went on a seven-point streak to take the lead in the third quarter. Then, they pulled away in the fourth quarter to complete the back-to-back titles in the process.
Jai Fa'ale led Australia with 19 points, laced with four three pointers out of ten attempts. He sparked the aforementioned rally to put them ahead. Bailey Hanson supplied 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.
Yahya Basaran finished with 13 points alongside 4 rebounds and 2 blocks, eventually taking home Most Valuable Player award as he finished the event with averages of 16.2 points and 12.0 rebounds plus 3.0 blocks.
Australia, furthermore, have remained unbeaten in 3 appearances thus far, as they improved to 18-0 following yet another mighty 6-game sweep.
For China, Zhang Yizhaojie led with a game-high 20 points and 5 rebounds in the loss.
Hosts India finished 12th out of 16 teams in the tournament, losing in the qualification to quarterfinal phase against Iran 66-83.