The Lebanese women’s basketball team (ranked 8th in Asia and 44th in the world) faced their second consecutive defeat in the Asian Women’s Division A Basketball Cup, which is being held in Australia at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre. On Tuesday, June 27, Lebanon encountered another setback (54-76) against South Korea (ranked 4th in Asia and 12th in the world) in Group A of the tournament. Lebanon had already lost to China on Monday (44-89).
With 20 points, Trinity Baptiste – a naturalised American player – was the leading scorer for the Lebanese national team and the match. Meanwhile, Jihyun Park scored 18 points for her Korean team. In the other Group A match, China claimed their second consecutive victory by defeating New Zealand 80-46.
The Lebanese team must win their third and final game of the first round, on Wednesday, June 28, against New Zealand (ranked 5th in Asia and 29th in the world), to avoid elimination at the group stage and the potential risk of relegation to Division B once again. Indeed, the rules of the Women’s Asian Cup Division A provide for the relegation of the team occupying the eighth and last place in the tournament. Lebanon has just recently climbed back into Division A after years of stagnation at the lower level.
The Women’s Asian Cup consists of two groups (A and B) comprising four teams each. The other four teams in Pool B are Japan, Taiwan, host country Australia and the Philippines.
