Koreans crowned FIBA U18 champs

MANILA, Philippines — South Korea ruled the FIBA U18 Asian Championship, pulling off a 77-73 squeaker over Japan in the thrilling finals over the weekend at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Tehran, Iran.

Lee Juyeong showed the way with 28 markers, four rebounds, five assists and two steals, including the dagger bucket in the last six seconds.

Overall, Juyeong registered 23.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists to win the MVP honors in the return of FIBA U18 Asian joust for the first time amid the pandemic.

His heroic performance propelled South Korea, which also toppled powerhouse China in the semifinals, to the country’s first U18 title in 22 years and fourth overall.

Gilas wound up at sixth place behind host Iran after a Final Four finish and U19 World Cup qualification in 2018 that served as the last Asian youth tilt prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.