Haddadi leads Iran over Smart Gilas in Jones Cup semis

HAMED Haddadi scored 36 points to lead back-to-back champion Iran to an easy 78-54 victory over the Smart Gilas Pilipinas in the semifinal round of the William Jones Cup at the Hsinjhuang Stadium in New Taipei City yesterday.

The win was sweet revenge for Iran, which lost to the Nationals in the preliminary round, 73-59.

This time around, the 7-foot-2 Haddadi, who also had eight rebounds and five shot blocks, made sure that Iran would book a return trip to the finals as he dominated the shaded lane from the start that paved the way for the rout.

Iran faces Korea in the finals today. Korea beat Chinese Taipei, 90-85, in the other semis pairing.

The Philippines, on the other hand, faces Chinese Taipei for third place.  Smart Gilas was led by the 16 points of Marcus Douthit./Copy editor Brian Ochoa