UNDERDOGS Taiwan pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the region's basketball history when they pipped top seeds South Korea 80-77 at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai last night to become the Asian men's under-22 champions.
The unfancied Taiwanese dictated the pace and never allowed their opponents to settle as they marched to their first win over the Koreans and their first major international title.
Coach Lee Hong-chi was ecstatic and said: ''The players did everything we asked of them tonight - they were great in defence and played with lots of heart.'' Taiwan started confidently by opening up an 8-2 lead only two minutes into the game, with six points coming from captain Lo Shin-liang.
South Korea pulled level at 19-19 but never managed to take the lead during the first half and Taiwan led 41-39 at the interval.
A three-pointer by Kim Seung-gi shortly after the break saw the Koreans surge ahead for the first time. The lead then kept changing hands with the teams virtually trading basket for basket.
Neither side was able to open up a substantial lead and the final reached a climax going into the last minute with the Taiwanese 77-73 ahead.
