Amid heartbreak, Lebanon basketball team revives national pride with heroic Asia Cup run

Lebanese have praised their country's basketball team for reigniting national pride, despite their FIBA Asia Cup run ending in defeat during Sunday's final.

Lining up for their first Asia Cup final since 2007, the odds were stacked against the Lebanese team as they faced Australia, who were the defending champions and are Asia's highest-ranked team.

But fuelled by victories over Jordan and Asian basketball titans China in the days before, The Cedars put up a strong fight at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia, only to lose by an agonisingly narrow margin of 75-73.

Yet a Lebanese player did win Most Valuable Player of the tournament with the prize going to shooting guard Wael Arakji, who was the top-scorer in Sunday's match.

The team's Asia Cup success had been providing some much-needed respite for Lebanese as their country endures dark times.

Lebanon is suffering from what the World Bank has called one of the worst financial collapses in modern history, leaving much of the population living below the poverty line. Chronic political mismanagement has left many Lebanese doubtful of improvement any time soon.

"A national team has given us more to its country in a few hours than politicians in power have in decades," journalist Nada El Kurdi said on Twitter.

"Tough to lose in the finals in the last few seconds but credit to a team that came together, had an unbelievable year, and brought the country some rare joy and happiness," Lebanese commentator Danny Hajjar said.

Throughout the tournament, players have dedicated their success to Lebanon.

"This is all for the Lebanese people, living in Lebanon, suffering to watch us play," Sergio El Darwich said after Lebanon's quarter-final victory over China.

Jordan also suffered defeat after an otherwise successful tournament, losing their third-place match against New Zealand 83-75.