CHN / JOR – "Master" Wang steadies China’s ship

TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Seasoned campaigner Wang Zhizhi fired in all cylinders at the crucial junctures and spearhead Yi Jianlian played an all-round consistent game to steer hosts China to a 89-83 win over Jordan in a needle Group F eight-final round game on Wednesday.

China, thus went ahead 5-0 in their win-loss and took the top place in Group F. They are now pitted against wildcard entrants and fellow East Asian nation Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals to be played on Friday.

Jordan, who suffered their first loss in six games in the Championship, will take on Philippines in the quarterfinals.

“I think we lost it in our shooting. Our shooting could have been far better,” Jordan coach Mario Palma said.

Wang Zhizhi, the first Chinese to play in the NBA, scored twice in the paint as China scored the first eight points of the game.

Jordan attempted a fight back in the second quarter, bringing the score close to 34-36, but Wang stepped up again.

The 213-cm centre scored from close range twice and converted two free-throws to spearhead a 9-0 run which helped China close the first half 45-34.

And when Jordan closed in 74-77 in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, Wang moved in yet again – pulling down two defensive rebounds, scoring five points as China went ahead with the win.

Wang finished with 23 points, and pulled down eight rebounds.

Yi meanwhile was consistent and confident to lead the game in scoring – 29 points – as well as rebounds – 18 boards.

Jordan, for sure, did not give up.

Just that they fell in deficit early. And after that every time they tried to stage a comeback, China had Wang protecting their cause.

“They really scattered our defence in the first quarter,” said China coach Guo Shiqiang.

“He (Rasheim Wright) really gave us nightmares. It’s going to be tough if we play them again,” Guo added.

Wright was, as usual, the leading scorer for Jordan, but for the first time in the Championship in a losing cause.

Wright, an American by origin, returned 28 points, but only a 32% field record (7/22) converting only one of his seven three-pointer attempts.

Zaid Abbas returned a 14-point game.

Sam Daghles contributed 13 points.

S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia

ll Watch highlights of the game at FIBATV.com now - click here