BEIJING, Aug 16 : Chinese national basketball team qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup final for the first time in a decade after defeating New Zealand 98–84 on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Five Chinese players scored in double digits to secure the win, led by captain Zhao Rui, who recorded a game-high 24 points and six assists.
Before being substituted late in the final quarter, an emotional Zhao hugged head coach Guo Shiqiang and then stood in the bench area to watch his teammates close out the victory. Zhao has said the team is aiming for a podium finish at the Asia Cup.
Expectations were not high for China ahead of the tournament, as the team was competing without star centers such as Zhou Qi and Yang Hansen of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers.
China has won the tournament 16 times since first participating in 1975 but has not found success over the past decade.
The Chinese team will face the winner of the Australia–Iran semifinal in the final on Sunday.