China Dominates Guam 101-53 in FIBA Asia Cup Qualifier
China’s national basketball team showcased a commanding performance, defeating Guam 101-53 in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifying tournament in Hefei, Anhui Province, on Thursday. This victory marks China’s second win in three games in Group C.
The match was significant as it was the first under new head coach Guo Shiqiang, who took the helm in July. Displaying exceptional teamwork, all 12 players contributed points, with six scoring in double figures.
Yang Hansen led the team with 16 points, while Zeng Fanbo added 14 points and eight rebounds. The game tilted heavily in China’s favor during the second half, where they expanded their lead to over 40 points.
“It’s the first international game of the new Chinese national team,” Guo Shiqiang said after the game. “It means a lot to us. Our players performed well and showed great spirit, fighting with resilience and positive mindsets. They executed the tactics effectively on both offense and defense.”
Team captain Hu Mingxuan echoed the coach’s sentiments. “We were all fighting with good spirits in this game,” Hu said. “We paid special attention to every defensive detail, working hard for every rebound and making the right plays. This game is just the start. We will review the game footage to improve every detail and make our team better.”
Coach Guo emphasized the team’s short-term goal of achieving strong results at the Asia Cup and their long-term ambition to qualify for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
With this win, China stands second in Group C, trailing Japan, who secured their third win by defeating Mongolia 93-75.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
