Team Philippines out to deal with Iran’s ceiling, bench depth

MANILA, Philippines – Come Game Day 7 of the ongoing Asian Qualifiers of the 2019 FIBA World Cup on Thursday Iran will try to defend its home turf against its old foe from the Far East that has been nipping at their heels for the last 10 years — the Philippines.

Iran is in the midst of a youth movement, but when they started the Asian Qualifiers on a dour note, they had to call in some old heroes.

With only Oshin Sahakian the veteran of Iran’s past dominance in regional competition, it was enough as they fell rather embarrassingly to neighboring Iraq, 66-74, in a match played in Amman, Jordan, since the latter’s current state doesn’t allow the safe playing of matches there.

The Iraqis did well in the even numbered quarters, outscoring Iran, 19-12, in the final frame.

Although Iran bounced back at home in Tehran with a 65-39 blowout of Qatar, in their second window, they brought back old reliables Samad Nikkhah Bahrami and Hamed Haddadi, who each scored 21 and 20 points in another laugher, 54-75, in Astana, Kazakhstan.

With the two back in an Iran jersey, Sajjad Mashayeki, Arsalan Naeini and former PBA import with the Meralco Bolts Mohammad Jamshidi played more relaxed ball. 

And with vengeance in their eyes, Iran pummeled Iraq at home, 83-53, once more with Bahrami and Haddadi leading the way.

If Iran was expecting more blowouts, Qatar, back in their home court at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club in Doha, nearly scored an upset, losing only in the final minute of play, 77-75.

With Bahrami struggling from the field (3-10), Haddadi carried Iran with 23 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and one block — his best performance thus far in the qualifiers. Arsalan Naeini added 12, but it was also Benham Yakchali and Jamshidi who picked up the scoring slack when they each pumped in 11 points for their best performances as well.

The match was tied at 75-all after Mohamed Saad tied the score for Qatar with 17 seconds left. Yakchali missed a jumpshot but a putback slam by Naeini with two seconds left secured Iran’s fourth win in five matches. 

After cutting it close, Iran had a rather easy match against Kazakhstan at home, with Yakchali, Mashayeki, Jamshidi and Meisam Mirza all scoring in double digits while Bahrami and Haddadi rested in an 88-56 win.

As good as Iran is, it is still their veterans Haddadi and Bahrami leading the way. Haddadi, the 7’2” center, averages a team-high 16.8 points and 12.0 rebounds while their primary playmaker Bahrami is dishing 6.8 assists a game. That says a lot considering Jamshidi is the starting point guard for Iran. 

Benham Yakchali has been a third consistent scoring option for Iran. However, veteran Sahakian has disappointed. He has been benched in two of his side’s matches. 

Things to look out for the Philippines

Rebounding: Iran has the edge in boards, 42.2-35.0, and they are able to score slightly more fastbreak points, 14.5-11.3 points.

Bench depth: While Iran has some good young players, they rely pretty much on a few players. The Philippines has the bench depth to play and compete averaging 34.8 points to the 25.7 of Iran’s reserves. 

The inside game: Iran largely through Haddadi likes to go in and they get to the free throw line a lot. Denying the entry pass and forcing the Iranian behemoth to cough up that ball will help in frustrating the West Asian country.