Chinese Men’s Basketball Team Misses Top 16 at Basketball World Cup
MANILA – In a disappointing turn of events, the Chinese men’s basketball team suffered a defeat at the hands of Puerto Rico, resulting in their elimination from the top 16 of the 2023 Basketball World Cup. The intense battle on August 30th saw China’s team succumbing to a 107-89 loss, placing them at the bottom of Group B with a three-game record. Consequently, they will now enter the qualifying round 17-32 starting on the 31st.
Despite a commendable performance by the Chinese team’s backline, led by Zhao Rui who scored a team-high 16 points, as well as contributions from Zhao Jiwei and Hu Mingxuan with 14 and 12 points respectively, they struggled against the Puerto Rican team. Despite facing opponents with a lower overall height, China lagged behind by 30 rebounds to 42 and conceded 16 points through second-chance opportunities.
Reflecting on the game, Hu Mingxuan stated, “Everyone showed great fighting spirit and energy on both ends of the court today. However, there were some shortcomings in our defense that cost us the victory.” The Chinese team acknowledged the missed opportunity to secure a win.
High Stakes Showdown
The Chinese team’s hopes were dashed after back-to-back losses to Serbia and South Sudan leading up to the crucial match against Puerto Rico, who had one win and one loss. Both teams were determined to secure a spot in the next round, intensifying the stakes of the game. Notably, the last time these teams faced each other in the Basketball World Cup was 13 years ago when China suffered an 8-point defeat.
Fans turned out in large numbers to support the Chinese team. Despite the setback, their enthusiasm never waned, with chants and cheers filling the auditorium.
Seeking to change their fortunes, the Chinese team made adjustments to their starting lineup, with Hu Mingxuan replacing Li Kaier. The game started off strongly for the Chinese side, with Zhao Rui utilizing his height advantage to make multiple penetrating attacks and free throws. However, Puerto Rico demonstrated consistent performance, widening the point differential to 10 through their impeccable outside shooting. By the end of the second quarter, the Chinese team’s offense faltered, allowing Puerto Rico to extend their lead. At halftime, China trailed by 15 points.
Endgame Woes
After regaining their momentum in the second half, the Chinese men’s basketball team managed to narrow the point difference to under 10. However, as the fourth quarter progressed, their offense encountered multiple roadblocks, while Puerto Rico displayed the prowess of a seasoned team by consistently scoring points both inside and outside the paint. In the end, Puerto Rico clinched the victory with an 18-point lead.
Waters, the guard for the Puerto Rican team, emerged as the game’s top scorer with 22 points and 6 assists. Romero, their powerful center, achieved a “double-double” with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Head coach Djordjevic remarked on the match, stating, “The opponent played with great intelligence and capitalized on our mistakes. We need to regroup and approach our next game with a focused mindset. While our offense was satisfying, we must be smarter on the defensive end.”
Next, the Chinese team will face Angola, the third-place team in Group A, in the qualifying round on the 31st.
(Contributed by Lin Deren, Cao Yibo, Yang Yunqi)
Original title: Chinese men’s basketball team loses to Puerto Rico and misses the top 16 of the Basketball World Cup
The Chinese men’s basketball team entered the final group game of the 2023 Basketball World Cup in Manila on the 30th. After a fierce battle, the Chinese men’s basketball team lost to the Puerto Rico team 89:107 and placed at the bottom of Group B with a record of three games. , Entering the qualifying round 17-32 starting on the 31st.
On August 30, Chinese team players after the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhuang
In this game, the back line of the Chinese team completely recovered, Zhao Rui scored a team-high 16 points, Zhao Jiwei and Hu Mingxuan scored 14 and 12 points respectively. However, facing an opponent whose overall height is not high, the Chinese team was behind by 30:42 in rebound and was robbed by the opponent for 16 points in the second attack.
Hu Mingxuan said after the game: “The fighting spirit and energy of everyone on both ends of the offense and defense was very strong in today’s game. There were some details on the defensive end that were not done well. It’s a shame that we cannot win.”
On August 30, Chinese team player Zhou Peng (center) made a layup during the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhuang
Before this match, the Chinese team lost to Serbia and South Sudan in a row, while the Puerto Rico team had one win and one loss. In order to compete for the right to qualify for the group, both sides are extremely want to win this game. The last time the two sides played each other in the Basketball World Cup (World Championships) dates back to 13 years ago. In the 2010 Men’s World Basketball Championships, the Chinese men’s basketball team lost to their opponents by 8 points.
The game attracted a large number of Chinese fans to watch. As a result of the Chinese team warming up, there were voices cheering for the Chinese team in the auditorium. The Chinese team could be seen at home.
The Chinese team adjusted the starting lineup for this game, and Hu Mingxuan started instead of Li Kaier. After the opening game, Zhao Rui used his height and physical advantages to attack the opponent’s defense one after another, and opened the situation for the Chinese team through free throws. However, the Puerto team played Rico was consistent and opened the point difference to 10 points through continuous outside attacks. At the end of the second quarter, the offense of the Chinese team suddenly misfired, and the Puerto Rico team opened the scoring again. In the first half, the Chinese team managed to defeat their opponents by 15 points.
On August 30, Chinese team player Zhao Jiwei (left) shot during the match. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhuang
After opening the second half, the Chinese men’s basketball team regained its strength and once narrowed the point difference to less than 10 points. The fourth quarter entered the decisive stage. The offense of the Chinese team was blocked one after another, while the Puerto Rico team showed the qualities of a traditional strong team, continuously scoring points through the connection of inside and outside lines. out. In the end, the Puerto Rico team won the game with an advantage of 18 points.
Puerto Rico guard Waters scored a game-high 22 points and sent out 6 assists. The internal Romero scored a “double-double” with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The head coach of the Chinese team, Djordjevic, said after the match: “The opponent played very smart and made full use of our mistakes. Now we have to calm down. Tomorrow is a brand new game. The offense more satisfying, but on the defensive end we have to be smarter.”
On the 31st, the Chinese team will face Angola, the third place in Group A, in qualifying. (Lin Deren, Cao Yibo, Yang Yunqi)
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