The quarterfinal clash in Ulaanbaatar saw Spain edge out China 21-16 at the FIBA Men's 3×3 World Cup on Saturday, capping off an intense battle on the hardcourt.
Spain powered through with relentless drive to the paint early on, but the Chinese squad answered back when Zhang Dianliang nailed a deep jumper to keep their hopes alive.
Shifting gears in the middle stretch, China took a brief lead as Wu Xingrui sank two clutch free throws and Guo Hanyu followed with a sleek two-point jumper. However, a series of offensive fouls hindered their rhythm, and Spain seized the opening to strike.
Tied at 16-16, Spain ripped off a decisive 5-0 run, showcasing their composure under pressure and sealing the victory.
Despite the defeat, this run marks China's best-ever finish at the FIBA Men's 3×3 World Cup after cracking the top eight for the first time. Next up, Spain will face Germany in a tantalizing semifinal showdown.
Reference(s):
China eliminated by Spain in quarterfinals at FIBA Men's 3×3 World Cup
cgtn.com
