Fotu goes 'beast mode' as Tall Blacks beat China

QINGYUAN (2015 FIBA Oceania Championship) - Isaac Fotu made a huge splash for New Zealand's Tall Blacks at the FIBA Basketball World Cup last year in Spain.

The 2.03m forward conjured up memories of 2014 on Thursday when he erupted for 34 points and led the Kiwis to an 89-82 triumph over hosts China at the Stankovic Cup.

The output was a career high in the Tall Blacks jersey for the rising star.

"My teammates gave me confidence to keep shooting the ball so that's what I did," Fotu said.

China lost despite a 22-point effort from their 21-year-old guard, Guo Ailun.

The 1.90m playmaker will have a big role to play for the Chinese when they host the FIBA Asia Championship from 23 September-3 October in Changsha.

Fotu was the player who had the fans buzzing in the Far East on Thursday, though.

He picked up the scoring slack with Corey Webster being given the night off, making 14 of his 22 shots from the field.

One of those makes was a three-pointer.

The 21-year-old Fotu, coming off a strong rookie season in Spain's Liga Endesa, had a couple of huge performances last year in the Group Phase against Ukraine and Finland to help the Tall Blacks reach the Round of 16.

Against the Finns, Fotu was especially good with 18 points and eight rebounds.

Southland Sharks point guard Shea Ili, a player with a big future for New Zealand, got the start for the Tall Blacks on Thursday and played 12 minutes.

The Tall Blacks will now play for the Stankovic Cup title on Friday.

Their bigger aim is to win the FIBA Oceania Championship against Australia, a two-game series that tips off on 15 August in Melbourne and concludes in Wellington three days later.

The side that prevails will clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games, and the loser will play at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

China, meanwhile, will be looking to win the FIBA Asia Championship to reach Rio. The sides that come in second and third in Changsha will play at the OQT.

FIBA