Iran pummels Yi-less China, sweeps Group C

MANILA, Philippines – Iran sent a strong message to the rest of the field as it mangled Yi Jianlan-less China, 70-51, Saturday to sweep the Group C of the 2013 Manila FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Iran exploited Yi’s absence to the hilt racing to a double-digit lead right in the opening quarter and outrebounding China, including a huge 16-7 disparity in the offensive glass.  Iran cashed in those offensive boards with 15 second chance points against China’s measly four points.

Despite the big win, Becirovic was far from satisfied calling a timeout in the dying seconds to point the team’s mistakes.

Samad Nikkah Bahrami scored all of his 10 points in the first quarter lifting Iran to a 26-16 lead.  Bahrami failed to score the rest of the way but it did not matter as the rest of the Iranians took care of the rest.

Yi, who sat out for the second straight game with a hamstring injury,

Hamed Haddadi had 15 points and seven boards outdueling China’s ageless Wang ZhiZhi, who finished with nine and five.

Hamed Afagh and Oshin Sahakian also did well for the 2007 FIBA Asia champions combining for 25 points.

Wang Shipeng was the lone double-digit scorer for China with 11 points.