TOKUSHIMA, Japan -- Lebanon, the 2005 silver medalists, became the first team to secure a berth in the semi-finals when they defeated Taiwan 95-64 in the Asian men's basketball championship on Wednesday.

Lebanon, also the runners-up in 2001, have now a 2-0 win-loss record for four points, leaving Taiwan with a 0-2 record. They led the Group One four-team round robin, which also includes Iran and Qatar.

In Group Two earlier in the day, Jordan overcame a 14-point deficit to beat Kazakhstan as the two teams stood with a 1-1 record.

Two-time former champions South Korea were to play fellow former champions Japan later in the day.

The top two teams from both groups will play in the knock-out semi-finals, vying for only one ticket to the Beijing Olympics next year.

The two best finishers, other than Olympic hosts China and the winners, will be eligible for the final Olympic qualifying round in July next year.

In the playoffs for ninth place, China, already out of medal contention for the first time since 1975, and the Philippines remained unbeaten with a 2-0 record.
China overwhelmed Indonesia 102-47 and the Philippines whipped India 104-69.

In other action, Syria outclassed Kuwait 109-69, while Hong Kong defeated the United Arab Emirates 87-64.

Kuwait, Syria, Indonesia and Hong Kong stood with a 1-0 ahead of winless India and the Emirates.