Wednesday, July 04, 2007

JONES CUP INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BEGINS

Taipei, July 2 (CNA) The William Jones Cup International Basketball Tournament, one of the most popular basketball events in Taiwan, began Monday at the start of 16 days of basketball action that includes 17 men's and women's teams from 13 countries.

Ten teams are in the men's competition, which runs through July 10 with Athletes in Action (AIA) , a team from the U.S., looking to defend its title from last year. Seven women's teams will compete in the women's competition from July 11-17 at the Sinjhuang Stadium in Taipei County.

Close games highlighted the opening day with the Philippines upsetting defending champion AIA 72-67. Jordan beat Kazakhstan 63-61 on a last shot and South Korea edged out Qatar 70-69. Lebanon defeated Iran 80-71.

This year's men's competition is regarded as a warmup for the Asian Basketball Championship for Men, which will be played in Tokushima, Japan from July 28-Aug. 8. Eight of the 10 participating countries, including Taiwan, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, South Korea, Kazakhstan and the Philippines, are fielding their national teams.

Japan sent its World University Games national team, while the AIA consists of mostly U.S. college players.

Participating teams in the women's group include New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Athletes in Action and two home teams -- Taiwan Blue Team and White Team.

The tournament was created in 1977 to honor Dr. Williams Jones, who was FIBA secretary-general at the time and had been supporting Taiwan in the international basketball community. Because of cross-straight disputes with China, Taiwan was barred from the international basketball competition until 1986.