PR N°58 - China capture 2015 FIBA Asia Championship crown, qualify for 2016 Rio Olympics

CHANGSHA-HUNAN (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - China beat the Philippines, 78-67, in Saturday's Final to win the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

China completed an unbeaten run in Changsha-Hunan with a triumph over a proud Filipino side for their 16th title in the competition.

With youngsters Zhou Qi, Guo Ailun and veteran Yi Jianlian leading the way in China's first-ever Final showdown against the Philippines, Gong Luming's team stormed to the title and an Olympic berth. Click here for the full game report.

Yi Jianlian was rewarded for his consistently impressive play throughout the tournament by being named the recipient of the tournament's Most Valuable Player award, presented by Tissot.

The 27-year-old had 11 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks for China in the Final and averaged 16.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 blocks per game, while shooting 52.9 percent from the field.

He headlined the All-Star Five, which also included his China team-mates Guo Ailun and Zhou Qi, Jayson Castro of Philippines, and Iran’s Samad Nikkhah Bahrami.

Iran captain Bahrami had a game-high 35 points as the 2013 champions bounced back from their Semi-Final defeat to China to take a 68-63 victory over Japan in the Third-Place Game. Click here for the full game report.

2015 FIBA Asia Championship final standings:
1. China*
2. Philippines**
3. Iran**
4. Japan**
5. Lebanon
6. Korea
7. Qatar
8. India
9. Jordan
10. Palestine
11. Kazakhstan
12. Hong Kong
13. Chinese Taipei
14. Kuwait
15. Singapore
16. Malaysia

*The champions earned direct qualification to the 2016 Rio Games
**Teams that came in second, third and fourth all booked places in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).

By virtue of winning the championship, China qualified for the 2016 Rio Games, while the Philippines, Iran and Japan booked places in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).

FIBA