China beats South Korea to win Asian basketball title

Home>>Sports

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 02, 2003

China beats South Korea to win Asian basketball title

China proved a class of their own in Asia as they beat South Korea 106-96 in the finals at the Asian men's basketball championship Wednesday in Harbin. China led 50-36 at half-time.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

China beats South Korea to win Asian basketball title

China proved a class of their own in Asia as they beat South Korea 106-96 in the finals at the Asian men's basketball championship Wednesday in Harbin. China led 50-36 at half-time.

NBA sensation Yao Ming, who was awarded the MVP of the tournament, had a game-high 30 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in his 40-minute playing time. His teammate Li Nan, 27, scored 26 points. China were 67 percent in the field and 26 percent from behind the arc.

With the victory, China got an automatic berth to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

The Chinese team suffered a shock 102-100 loss to South Korea in the final at the Busan Asian Games last October. China saw the Asian championship as their final chance to qualify for the Athens Olympics with the vengeance over South Korea.

China beats South Korea to win Asian basketball title

Both teams were contested hotly in the final quarter. Well-known for their sharp shooters, the South Koreans roared to a 13-3 run after one minute and eight seconds' play, which was highlighted by three consecutive three-pointers to cut the deficitto only one point at 83-82. But that was the furthest they could go.

"When South Korea cut the deficit to one point, China didn't mess it up. My players performed so strongly that I am very proud of them," Chinese coach Jiang Xingquan said at a post-match press conference.

Jiang also coached the national team during 1990-1995 and 1999-2000.

Fan Bin's three-pointer initiated the attacking power with 3:36 minutes left when China made a 17-8 run for a 100-90 advantage. South Korea then made two three-pointers, but Fan went four-for-four from the free-throw line and Sun Jun shot the game-winner forthe 106-96 victory.

Yao Ming's dunk opened the match before China used a 18-7 run in 3:53 minutes to lead the first quarter at 24-15 as China scored three three-pointers in a row.

Veteran Li Nan contributed seven points to China's 10-0 burst at the beginning of the second quarter. Though Koreans answered with an 8-0 run in 00:57 minutes, China still had the better of the game.

Trailing at 50-36 in the first half, South Korea fought back strongly in the third quarter to narrow the gap to nine points to enter the fourth period.

"Jiang Xingquan is an experienced coach. Though we lost to China, we will challenge them as long as we get the chance in the future. I am satisfied with my players' performance tonight," said South Korea coach Chung Chang-Jin.

Earlier on Wednesday, Qatar ruled Lebanon 77-67 to clinch the bronze medal. Lebanon, runners-up to China at the 2001 championship, settled for the fourth place.

The match was delayed because both teams wore dark-colour uniforms and refused to change. They finally started the game about one hour later as two teams dressed up the original shirts in red and mauve respectively.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Top four all eyes the title, China vows to avenge

China makes it to Asian's Championship quarters

China reaches semi-finals at Asian Men's Basketball Championships

Russia will honor pipeline deal with China: PM ( 7 Messages)

Shooting at Chinese fishing boat "a severe incident" ( 6 Messages)

American educational organizations win copyright lawsuit ( 3 Messages)

Suspects detained in Zhuhai massive sex scandal ( 4 Messages)

Marchers worldwide demand Iraq pullout ( 4 Messages)