Ahmedabad, August 18: Four crucial group-stage games were played on August 17 at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium in Ahmedabad as the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 continued to deliver exciting young basketball action. New Zealand defeated Lebanon 113-62 to finish on top of Group B and secure a direct berth in the quarter-finals. Bahrain overcame Syria 92-68 to advance to the Qualification to Quarter-Finals, while the Philippines staged an impressive comeback to beat Thailand 91-62. Australia also underlined its strength with a commanding 110-58 victory over Chinese Taipei.
New Zealand Dominate Lebanon
New Zealand controlled the game from the opening minutes, racing to a 14-2 lead. Lebanon struggled to find a way back as the Junior Tall Blacks maintained their intensity throughout the contest, eventually securing a convincing 113-62 victory.
The win was New Zealand’s third consecutive victory in the tournament and secured first place in Group B and direct qualification for the quarter-finals. New Zealand became the second team after Australia to book a place in the last eight.
Seven New Zealand players scored in double figures. Jackson Ball led the team with 19 points, while Kingston Kailleh-Asao and Hunter Saville added 14 points each. Hona Ifopo-Togia scored 12, while Arana Robertson contributed 11 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
New Zealand shot an impressive 59.7 percent from the field and recorded 36 assists, highlighting its outstanding team play. Lebanon’s Johnny Sawma led all scorers with 21 points. The defeat ended Lebanon’s campaign after three losses.
Bahrain Secure Victory Over Syria
In the other Group B game, Bahrain defeated Syria 92-68. The opening two quarters were closely contested, but Bahrain changed the momentum in the third quarter with a decisive 8-0 run.
Mehdi Habib and Rayan Mujtaba scored on layups, while Hassan Abdulqadir added a dunk and Somto Patrick scored from close range as Bahrain extended its advantage to 53-41. Bahrain then maintained a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.
Somto Patrick produced an outstanding double-double with 26 points and 14 rebounds. Abdulqadir also recorded a double-double, finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Mujtaba added 17 points and five rebounds, while Ali Fardousi contributed 10 points.
With Lebanon eliminated, Bahrain finished second in Group B, while both Bahrain and Syria progressed to the Qualification to Quarter-Finals.
Philippines Stage Impressive Comeback
The Philippines defeated Thailand 91-62 after overcoming a difficult start. Thailand led 25-17 at the end of the first quarter and at one stage held a 12-point advantage.
The Philippines gradually turned the game around, tying the score at 31-31 in the second quarter before taking control. With 5:17 remaining in the third quarter, Thailand’s Charn Sirisuntorn hit a three-pointer to make it 50-50. Just 49 seconds later, Ethan Matthew Agwas answered with a three-pointer to put the Philippines back in front.
That basket sparked a remarkable Philippine surge.
36-3 Run Turns the Game Around
From the middle of the third quarter into the final stages of the fourth, the Philippines produced a stunning 36-3 run.
A 19-0 burst that began with 4:28 remaining in the third quarter transformed a 50-50 tie into a 69-50 Philippines lead. Elias Troy Ghee played a key role during the decisive run, scoring eight points.
Ghee finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Luke Edward Atakador added 16 points, George Eden Green scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Kenji Yob Moral contributed 12 points.
Thailand was led by Alexander Junior David, who scored 13 points.
Australia Cruise Past Chinese Taipei
Australia continued its impressive group-stage campaign with a commanding 110-58 victory over Chinese Taipei. Australia led for 37:47 of the game and never fell behind.
After the teams were tied 6-6 early in the opening quarter, Australia quickly established control and built a substantial lead by halftime. The Australians continued to dominate on both ends of the floor throughout the second half.
Yahya Basara recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while also contributing two assists, one steal and two blocks. Jai Fahela led Australia’s scoring with 21 points.
Curtis Evick added nine points and 12 rebounds, while Antonio Brown delivered an all-round performance with six points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals. Chinese Taipei’s Carter Matthew Coleman led his team with 18 points.
Australia Finish with a 15-0 Run
Australia produced its biggest scoring burst in the fourth quarter, putting together a 15-0 run from 4:40 to 2:15 to stretch its lead from 90-49 to 105-49.
The Australians eventually recorded a 110-58 victory, with their biggest lead reaching 56 points. The result further strengthened Australia’s credentials as one of the tournament’s leading contenders.
Ahmedabad Witnesses Exciting U18 Basketball
The four games played in Ahmedabad on August 17 added further excitement to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 group stage. New Zealand and Australia secured direct places in the quarter-finals, while Bahrain and Syria advanced to the Qualification to Quarter-Finals.
The Philippines’ remarkable comeback against Thailand and Australia’s emphatic 52-point victory over Chinese Taipei provided further highlights from an action-packed day of youth basketball in Ahmedabad.
