Hosts Srinakarinwirot had several key players sidelined, including rising star Prachya Kruatiwa, while the visiting Rattana Bundit side fielded a full-strength team to avenge their 91-83 loss on Tuesday.

Atthaporn Lertmalaiporn hit two shots and two three-pointers as the Rattana Bundit side went ahead, but the hosts' Krit Kaewsuwan also sank three-pointers to level the score at 25-25 at the end of the first quarter.

The visiting team brought on point guard Chaiwat Kaedam, who added many points for Rattana Bundit, while Srinakarinwirot's Kittipong Chandaboon's fluid defensive and offensive play helped the team reduce the gap to 51-50 at the end of the second period.

Late in the following quarter, the visitors moved away to lead 78-67, but the hosts also scored consecutive three-pointers to equalise at 87-87. Srinakarinwirot then started missing baskets as time ran out.

In a Group A clash, Rangsit University toppled Dhurakij Pundit University 64-58.

Siam University will take on Bangkok University in Group B today, while King Mongkut's Institute of Technology University North Bangkok will meet Rangsit University in Group A for the last two preliminary matches.

New tourneys

nNew tournaments will determine the final berths for the men's and women's Olympic basketball competition at the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.

World basketball officials said that 12 men's teams from throughout the world will battle for the last three Olympic berths in a new qualifying tournament to be held July 7-13, 2008, a month before the Olympics. The site of that qualifying tournament has not yet been announced.

The new qualifying tournament will include four teams from Europe, three from the Americas, two each from Africa and Asia and one from Oceania.

In addition to the three teams that qualify through the tournament, the field for men's Olympic play also will include China as the host country, the winners of the world championships that ends on Sunday and the teams that advance from continental qualifiers in 2007.