Record‑Breaking Night in the Asia Cup Qualifiers
In a stunning display of offensive firepower, Palestine routed Maldives 168‑78 in the FIBA Asia Cup 2029 pre‑qualifiers, establishing a new benchmark for scoring in the tournament’s qualifying stage.
The 90‑point margin not only eclipsed Brazil’s 154‑point effort from the 1978 World Cup but also set the largest victory margin ever recorded in Asian qualifying competition, topping Bahrain’s 126‑52 result from 2018.
The sheer volume of points — 246 combined in the match — added another layer to the historic narrative, marking the highest accumulated score ever posted in a FIBA Asia Cup qualifier.
Kazakhstan, meanwhile, secured its own passage to the second round with an 88‑67 triumph over Kyrgyzstan, a result highlighted by veteran guard Daniil Severgin’s 20 points and a 24‑point contribution from forward Robert Pan.
Kyrgyzstan’s Nazim Adylbekov added 17 points in the loss, underscoring the competitive depth of the group, while Palestine’s Tamer Habash led the scoring with 22 points in the record‑breaking encounter.
Both teams now join Palestine and Kazakhstan in the next phase, scheduled for November and December, where they will be accompanied by a rested Sri Lankan side that will enter the fray after a period of preparation.
The upcoming second‑round fixtures promise further intrigue as the region’s emerging basketball powers vie for continental dominance, with Palestine’s historic performance setting a new standard for future campaigns.