China showcased their basketball prowess with an impressive 86-78 win over Guam in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, securing the top spot in Pool C and earning a coveted spot in the main event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17.
The game kicked off on Sunday with Guam scoring the first point, but China quickly took control and maintained their lead throughout. The first quarter ended with Guam trailing narrowly at 19-16, reflecting their aggressive spirit.
Despite a challenging final quarter where Guam narrowed the deficit to single digits, veteran Tai Wesley stepped up, scoring a game-high 32 points and thrilling the crowd. However, China's resilience shone through as Zhu Junlong nailed a crucial three-pointer from the corner, sealing the victory.
Yang Hansen led the Chinese team with an outstanding 19 points and nine rebounds, while team captain Zhang Rui added 15 points, five assists, and five rebounds.
With a final record of 5-1 in the qualifiers, China advances to the Asia Cup alongside second-place Japan. Stay tuned for more action as China prepares to compete on the big stage!
Reference(s):
China edge out Guam to top group and secure spot in FIBA Asia Cup
cgtn.com
