Game Photos. Game Details and Stats

BEIRUT, Lebanon (23rd FIBA Asia Champions Cup): Jenero Gorgiss poured in a tournament-high 33 points to lead Duhok of Iraq to a 99-62 win against Mongolia’s Falcons and thus seal their place in the semifinals of the 23rd FIBA Asia Champions Cup on Thursday.

Duhok will take on Turkmenistan’s Belent Asgabat on Friday in a contest that will decide the No 3 seed for the semifinals and a last four contest against the No 2 seed. The losers of that game will take on the top seeds, which will be known after the Riyadi-Mahram clash.

Gorgiss (pic above), whose eligibility clearance was delayed – due to non-presentation of sufficient papers to prove his nationality status – played the first full game for Duhok tonight.

The 30-year-old was the lynch pin on which the Duhok offense revolved and led the charge accounting for 13 points in the very first quarter putting the Iraqi outfit in a vantage position, before going on to finish with a 13/23 shooting on the field.

Import Kendell Dartez controlled the boards with 8 collections along with 17 points and Mohammed Mahdi did his bit with 13 points and 5 rebounds as Duhok went on to score their first win.

“It’s always good to get a win,” said Duhok coach Hamza Ubaid Bakkal.

“We haven’t had the best of the starts, but then we played against the two best teams in Asia so far. Today we were alright,” he said.

Davaadorj’s 15 points led Falcons, who bow out of the competition without a win on debut.

“Well, like I have said throughout it’s been a great experience playing in this competition,” said Falcons coach Amarjargal Misha.

“We did bring a young team with the idea of giving them much needed experience and exposure. But in hindsight, we certainly erred in not including imports in our roster,” he added.

“Like I said we have gained some very valuable lessons. You’ll see us return much better.”

FIBA Asia