AUSTRALIA joined Gilas Pilipinas in the early Group A lead in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers after winning a close one against Oceania rival New Zealand, 84-79, on Friday night at MyStateBank Arena in Hobart, Australia.
Davo Hickey hit a dagger three pointer in the final 34 seconds to stretch a shaky one-point lead by the Boomers to 82-78 for the breathing room they needed against a Tall Blacks side that led the three-time Asia Cup champions by nine points at one point in the game.
The Philippines later joined Australia in the early lead in their group by blasting Guam at the University of Guam Calvo Field House, 87-46.
Also on Friday, South Korea survived a furious China fightback in the final five minutes to eke out an 80-76 upset of the host team at the Wukesong Arena in Beijing.
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The Sokors saw their massive 75-56 lead at the 5:30 mark wiped out to just 79-76 in the final 21 second as Zhang Zhenlin waxed hot from deep.
Hyunjung Lee topscored for South Korea with 33 points, including a new World Cup qualifiers record of nine three pointers.
But Team Dragon lost steam in the end and failed to complete the comeback, allowing South Korea to escape with the win and the early lead in Group B.
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Japan also won in the same group by routing Chinese Taipei, 90-64, behind the near triple-double of naturalized Joshua Hawkinson, who finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.
Over in Group C, Jordan turned back Syria, 74-59, and Iran blasted Iraq, 94-68, capped by a total of 19 three pointers.
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Lebanon meanwhile, escaped past Qatar, 75-74, behind the clutch basket of Youssef Khayat to take the Group D lead together with Saudi Arabia, a 75-51 winner over India.
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