The Chinese men’s basketball team made a powerful statement on Day 2 of the 2025 FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, securing two thrilling victories back-to-back.
In their opening game of the group stage, China faced off against Puerto Rico. The team came out strong, with Wu Xingrui opening the scoring and setting the tone for the game. Despite Puerto Rico’s sharp outside shooting keeping the game tight, key plays like Wu’s crucial block and Zhang Dianliang’s dominant inside moves helped China maintain their edge. Tied at 14 with just over two minutes remaining, China surged ahead, and Wu sealed the 21-17 victory at the free-throw line.
Later that evening, China took on Canada in a nail-biting encounter. Showcasing fluid offense, Wu’s crafty drives and Guo Hanyu’s precision from the perimeter gave China an early lead. Canada stayed in contention with effective two-on-one plays, and the teams found themselves neck and neck at 15-15. After drawing Canada’s seventh team foul, China capitalized with two successful free throws. The tension escalated as Canada tied the game at 18 with deep shots. With the clock ticking down, Zhang sank a critical two-pointer, but Canada responded swiftly, leveling the score at 20-20. Demonstrating composure under pressure, Xiang Zhichao calmly sank the game-winning shot, securing a 22-20 triumph for China.
China’s roster, featuring Guo Hanyu, Xiang Zhichao, Zhang Dianliang, and Wu Xingrui, now sits strong in Group C, which includes France, Austria, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Under the tournament’s format, the top team from each group advances directly to the quarterfinals, while the second and third place teams will battle in cross-group playoffs for the remaining spots.
The Chinese men’s team’s impressive performance has ignited excitement among fans, setting high hopes for the rest of the tournament. As the competition progresses, all eyes will be on these athletes as they strive to continue their winning streak.
