Chinese Taipei gets boot in FIBA Asia

CHANGSHA – Chinese Taipei crushed back to earth here from their magical ride in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

The Taiwanese failed to sustain their breakthrough the last time, unable to get past their Group of Death plays with Qatar, Kazakhstan and Lebanon.

They were automatically relegated to the consolation round after being walloped by the Lebanese, 87-92, then mangled by Kazakhstan, 73-84.

Chinese Taipei went on a big downfall from its fourth-place showing in 2013, best remembered for its breakthrough 96-78 win over China during the quarterfinals.

Among the Filipino fans, the Taiwanese were remembered for their 84-79 upset of Gilas Pilipinas during the opening stage of the tourney.

Ominous sign of their debacle here was a poor showing in the MVP Cup in Manila, with the worst in a humbling defeat by the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.

A week earlier, Chinese Taipei finished a strong third behind Iran and Gilas Pilipinas in the Jones Cup.

The Taiwanese are now relegated down to the fight for 13th to 16th places versus Singapore, Malaysia and Kuwait.