by Anne Suarez
China has once again proved its might as Asia’s top team in basketball as they finished an unbeaten run and came away with an 78-67 victory over the now back-to-back silver medalists Philippines in the final of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.
Guo Ailun led the Chinese side with 19 points and 6 rebounds while another youngster Zhou Qui had a double-double game with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, NBA veteran Yi Jianlian chipped in 11 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. The Philippines was led by their naturalized center Andray Blatche with 17 points. However, no other Filipino managed to score in double digits as their point guard and mythical five member Jayson Castro William was held to 8 points on 3/14 shooting.
China won the gold medal after a dismal 5th place finish in the last edition of the tournament, which was held in Manila, Philippines back in 2013. Led by their youngsters Zhou Qui, Guo Ailun, and their veteran Yi Jianlian, China were able to fend off a Philippine team that was off to quick races early in the game.
Four minutes into the game, the Philippines led the game, 15-10. But China quickly fought back with 12 unanswered points to snatch the lead and never look back.
With China’s height, the Philippines struggled to find their way from the inside. Yi Jianlian was able to contain the naturalized Filipino center Andray Blatche and deem him ineffective. And while the Philippines had chances from the three-point line, China’s hustle and speed in recovering in their defense assignment made the Philippines’ struggle shooting from downtown, only 6/24 3pt FG (24 percent shooting) as against China’s 9/24 (37.5 percent shooting).
THE SCORES:
CHINA (78): Guo 19, Q. Zhou 16, Yi 11, Ding 9, Li 9, P. Zhou 7, Zhao 3, Zhai 2, Wang 2
PHILIPPINES (67): Blatche 17, Romeo 9, Abueva 9, William 8, De Ocampo 7, Norwood 7, Hontiveros 6, Thoss 4, Pingris 0, Ganuelas 0, Intal 0
QUARTER SCORES: 23-19; 46-35; 60-50; 78-67. The Millennial Post
China won the gold medal after a dismal 5th place finish in the last edition of the tournament, which was held in Manila, Philippines back in 2013. Led by their youngsters Zhou Qui, Guo Ailun, and their veteran Yi Jianlian, China were able to fend off a Philippine team that was off to quick races early in the game.
Four minutes into the game, the Philippines led the game, 15-10. But China quickly fought back with 12 unanswered points to snatch the lead and never look back.
With China’s height, the Philippines struggled to find their way from the inside. Yi Jianlian was able to contain the naturalized Filipino center Andray Blatche and deem him ineffective. And while the Philippines had chances from the three-point line, China’s hustle and speed in recovering in their defense assignment made the Philippines’ struggle shooting from downtown, only 6/24 3pt FG (24 percent shooting) as against China’s 9/24 (37.5 percent shooting).
THE SCORES:
CHINA (78): Guo 19, Q. Zhou 16, Yi 11, Ding 9, Li 9, P. Zhou 7, Zhao 3, Zhai 2, Wang 2
PHILIPPINES (67): Blatche 17, Romeo 9, Abueva 9, William 8, De Ocampo 7, Norwood 7, Hontiveros 6, Thoss 4, Pingris 0, Ganuelas 0, Intal 0
QUARTER SCORES: 23-19; 46-35; 60-50; 78-67. The Millennial Post