The Chinese mainland secured their place in the FIBA Asia Cup by triumphing over Guam with an 86-78 victory in the recent qualifiers. This win not only tops Pool C but also guarantees their spot in the main event set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17.
Despite making significant roster changes after already ensuring their qualification, the Chinese mainland demonstrated their prowess on the court. The game kicked off with Guam scoring the first point, but the Chinese mainland quickly took control, maintaining a steady lead throughout the match.
Guam showcased an aggressive spirit, keeping the first quarter close at 19-16. In the final quarter, Guam narrowed the deficit to single digits, thanks to veteran Tai Wesley's impressive performance, where he scored a game-high 32 points. However, the Chinese mainland held firm, with Zhu Junlong hitting a crucial three-pointer from the corner to seal the victory.
Yang Hansen led the Chinese mainland with an impressive 19 points and nine rebounds, while team captain Zhang Rui added 15 points, along with five assists and five rebounds. With a strong finish to the qualifiers, the Chinese mainland concluded with a 5-1 record, advancing to the Asia Cup alongside second-place Japan.
Reference(s):
China edge out Guam to top group and secure spot in FIBA Asia Cup
cgtn.com
