SEREMBAN (Malaysia) - China finally put an end to what had become a lengthy drought after completing the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup Semi-Finals picture by showing the Philippines the door, 82-50, Friday night.
The three-time champions began to break away late in the second chapter before going full throttle after the halftime intermission on the way to booking their first appearance in the final four in nearly a decade.
Team Dragon last made it to the penultimate phase back in 2017 in India, in which they eventually returned home with the bronze medal following a convincing victory against New Zealand in the Third-Place Game.
Now, the Chinese not only returned to the Semi-Finals but have also become the fourth and final team from Asia to qualify for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, joining Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
The Sapphires, winners of the last three U16 meets, will be the East Asian powerhouse's foes in the next round in what should be an intriguing matchup between two of the tournament's only three champions thus far.
Game is on Saturday at 16:30 local time.
Li Yuanshan led the way with 18 points, including 12 in the second quarter alone as she powered the crucial scoring run that turned the game around in their favor - a 10-0 run toward a 43-30 lead with 1:44 remaining.
Sun Hanyun supplied 12 points and 15 rebounds, while Li Anni finished with her own double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds as all 12 players of Coach Li Jianxin scored at least a point in the rout.
Leading the Philippines, on the other hand, was Ella Smith with 14 points and 8 rebounds plus 4 assists, with Makeena Ramos the team's only other double-digit scorer with 10 points in the defeat.
The Gilas Girls, though, can still salvage a fifth-place finish when they take on Chinese Taipei in the Classification 5-6 on Saturday as well at 14:00 local time, serving as the curtain-raise to the Semi-Finals.
FIBA