Day two of the 2025 FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, saw Team China roar to two straight wins in Group C, sending a message to the rest of the field.
Strong Start Against Puerto Rico
China kicked off its campaign with a 21-17 victory over Puerto Rico. From the opening possession, Wu Xingrui set the tone with a powerful drive, while Zhang Dianliang dominated inside. Puerto Rico stayed close behind timely outside shooting, but a key block from Wu and a clutch bucket from Zhang helped China pull away in the final minutes.
Clutch Plays Secure Win Over Canada
Later in the day, China edged out Canada 22-20 in a nail-biter. Guo Hanyu’s outside shooting gave China an early edge, and a crafty fake from Wu led to an open layup. With the score tied at 15, China capitalized on Canada’s seventh team foul to grab a two-point lead.
Canada fought back to tie at 18, but Zhang Dianliang’s two-pointer in crunch time pushed China to 20-18. After Canada tied it at 20, Xiang Zhichao stayed cool under pressure, sinking the decisive shot with just over 30 seconds left.
Road Ahead in Group C
With these back-to-back victories, China tops Group C, which also includes France and Austria. The group leader will advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the second and third place teams will battle in cross-group playoffs for the remaining spots. Team China’s blend of fluid offense and mental toughness makes them a contender to watch as the tournament unfolds.
Why It Matters
In 3×3 basketball, every possession counts. China’s efficient offense produced 21 and 22 points in its two games, underscoring the team’s consistency. As fans around the G20 nations tune in, these performances showcase how fast-paced, street-style formats are reshaping international basketball.
Reference(s):
FIBA 3×3 World Cup: China men's team clinch two straight wins on day 2
cgtn.com
