Iran ready to defend its title at Jones Cup

TEHRAN, Aug. 3 (MNA) -- Iran basketball team will fly to Taipei on Wednesday to defend its title in the 2011 William Jones Cup scheduled for August 6 to 14.

Iran, which has won back-to-back titles, will face South Africa in its opening at the Sinjhuang Stadium in New Taipei City.

A total of nine teams will participate in the single round robin format to determine the winner.

Iran will take part in the tournament with its key players such as Memphis Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi and Samad Nikkhah Bahrami.

The Asian powerhouse is gearing up for the FIBA Asia Championship scheduled to be held in Wuhan, China from September 15 to 25 where the winning finalist goes to the Olympics next year.

Men's schedule
Aug. 6
South Africa-Iran
Korea-UAE
Philippines-Jordan
Taiwan-Japan

Aug. 7
South Africa-Korea
UAE-Philippines
Japan-Malaysia
Iran-Taiwan

Aug. 8
UAE-Japan
Jordan-Iran
Korea-Malaysia
Taiwan-South Africa

Aug. 9
Iran-UAE
Japan-Jordan
Philippines-Korea
Malaysia-Taiwan

Aug. 10
UAE-Malaysia
Philippines-South Africa
Iran-Japan
Korea-Jordan

Aug. 11
South Africa-UAE
Malaysia-Iran
Japan-Philippines
Taiwan-Jordan

Aug. 12
Philippines-Malaysia
South Africa-Jordan
Japan-Korea
Taiwan-UAE

Aug. 13
Malaysia-South Africa
UAE-Jordan
Korea-Iran
Philippines-Taiwan

Aug. 14
Jordan-Malaysia
South Africa-Japan
Iran-Philippines
Taiwan-Korea