Team Asia runs out of steam in slim loss to Team Africa in adidas Nations camp

By Ian Chew

Taiwanese Sung Yu-Hsuan had another stellar game, scoring 34 points. (Photo 1 © Ian Chew/Red Sports)

Dallas, Texas, Friday, August 9, 2008 – It was always going to be an uphill battle.

Team Asia (Blue) coach Larry Krystkowiak admitted as much.

“Our team definitely has a size disadvantage when compared to the other teams,” he said after the game.

Team Asia’s weakness was all the more amplified when facing Team Africa, with two of their centres Youssoupha Mbao and Negueba Samake standing over seven feet tall!

Yet this was a game for the taking though. Led by Taiwanese Sung Yu-Hsuan’s 34 points, the Asians pushed the Africans all the way and even led by three points at 51-48 going into the fourth quarter.

The size and quickness of the Africans were frequently negated by the aggressive defense of the Asian team.

“Our coach told us to press their ball handlers aggressively as their ball handling skills were suspect,” explained Calvin Chia, one of two Singaporean members of the team.

However, Team Asia could not sustain their intensity in the fourth quarter.

Coming off a tough schedule of three matches in the last two days, the Asian players lost their concentration in the final few minutes and turned the ball over on a few occasions. The Africans punished Asia’s mistakes with fast breaks and accurate three-point shooting to open up a 72-59 lead with three minutes to go.

Team Asia then raised some hope for their maiden win in the competition with an 11-2 run to close the gap to four points with thirty seconds to go. But the deficit proved too big in the end.

Africa ran out a close 76-70 victory to finish third in Pool A.

NBA player mentor of Team Asia Antonio Daniels also lamented the late collapse of the team.

“The match was there for the taking. Our boys competed hard, but just could not execute down the stretch. In the end, turnovers in the final few seconds proved our downfall,” he said.

With the loss, Team Asia will next face tournament favourites Team USA 2009 (the senior team) in the playoffs as they look to end their losing streak.

Results of Pool A
1st – Team USA 2010
2nd – Team Canada
3rd – Team Africa
4th – Team Asia (Blue)

Results of Pool B
1st – Team USA 2009
2nd – Team Europe
3rd – Team Latin America
4th – Team Asia (Red)

For more stories about the adidas Nations Camp, see
Team USA powers past Team Asia Blue for huge second win in adidas Nations camp
Singaporeans Calvin Chia and Lin Shengyu struggle in Team Asia Blue’s loss to Canada in adidas Nations basketball Camp.

Eventually, the speed and size of the Africans proved too much for Team Asia. Africa won the match 76-70. (Photo 2 © Ian Chew/Red Sports)

New Zealander Dion Prewster was ready to collapse after the game. He had played his third full game in two days and finished with 11 points. (Photo 3 © Ian Chew/Red Sports)

Singaporean Calvin Chia had a breakout game, frustrating his opponents with his physical defense. He finished with four assists, but fouled out late in the game. (Photo 4 © Ian Chew/Red Sports)

Lin Shengyu did not enjoy a good outing. Here he was denied on a fastbreak attempt. (Photo 5 © Ian Chew/Red Sports)

See first half highlights of the game:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6zmoHAYFSM

See second half highlights of the game:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVPytimaHxo