MANILA, Philippines - They learned their lesson in Wuhan and the Iranians can’t seem to wait for payback against the Jordanians in a grudge match in the quarterfinal round of the 27th FIBA-Asia Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City today.
The Jordanians upset the Iranians in 2011, foiling the West Asian power’s bid for a third straight Asian crown.
But Iran is a team on a mission in its return to the FIBA-Asia Championship, crushing the opponents by a gigantic average margin of 35.8 points.
And staying healthy through six lopsided victories has further made Iran the best bet for this year’s championship.
While most of the other remaining contenders have been slowed down by injuries to key players, Iran is A-okay – thanks to a solid lineup rotated by coach Mehmed Becirovic with balanced playing minutes.
Not a single Iranian player averages 30 minutes a game, not even star center Hamed Haddadi, prolific forward Nikkhah Bahrami and veteran guard Mahdi Kamrany.
Gilas Pilipinas is among the teams now hit by injuries with Marcus Douthit nursing a bruised knee and Ranidel de Ocampo a strained MCL.
China has been hobbled by injuries from the very beginning – its biggest concern that of Yi Jianlian’s hamstring.