An understrength Chinese basketball team overcame Guam with an 86-78 victory on Sunday, securing the top spot in Pool C of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers and earning their place in the main event scheduled in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5 to 17.
Despite already qualifying for the tournament, China made significant roster changes for the match. After Guam opened the scoring, China quickly took control, maintaining a lead throughout the game. Guam showcased tenacity, finishing the first quarter just three points behind at 19-16.
In the final quarter, China extended their lead to as much as 16 points, putting Guam on the back foot. However, veteran player Tai Wesley energized the home crowd with a remarkable performance, netting a game-high 32 points and narrowing the gap to single digits. China’s Zhu Junlong then sank a crucial three-pointer from the corner, effectively sealing the victory.
Yang Hansen led the Chinese team with an impressive 19 points and nine rebounds, while team captain Zhang Rui contributed 15 points, five assists, and five rebounds. China’s record in the qualifiers now stands at 5-1, ensuring their advancement to the Asia Cup alongside second-place Japan.
