Manila, August 30, Xinhua News Agency (Reporter Lin Deren, Cao Yibo, Yang Yunqi) The Chinese men's basketball team ushered in the last group stage of the 2023 Basketball World Cup in Manila on the 30th, and after a battle, the Chinese men's basketball team lost to Puerto Rico 89:107, ranking bottom of Group B with a record of three games, and entered the 17-32 qualifying round starting on the 31st.
On August 30, the Chinese team players after the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhuang
In this game, the Chinese team's guard line fully recovered, Zhao Rui scored a team-high 16 points, Zhao Jiwei and Hu Mingxuan scored 14 and 12 points respectively. However, facing opponents who were not high overall height, the Chinese team trailed by a large margin of 30:42 on rebounding and was grabbed by opponents for 16 points in the second offense.
Hu Mingxuan said after the game: "Today's game is very full of fighting spirit and energy at both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, and there are some details on the defensive end that are not done well, and it is a pity that they could not win. ”
On August 30, China's player Zhou Peng (center) made a layup during the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhuang
Before this match, China lost to Serbia and South Sudan, while Puerto Rico won one and lost, and both sides were desperate to win this match in order to compete for the right to qualify from the group. The last time the two sides met at the Basketball World Cup (World Championship) was 13 years ago, when the Chinese men's basketball team lost by eight points at the 2010 Men's Basketball World Championship.
The match attracted a large number of Chinese fans to watch the scene, starting from the warm-up of the Chinese team, there was a sound of cheering for the Chinese team in the audience, and the Chinese team seemed to be at home.
In this game, the Chinese team adjusted the starting lineup, and Hu Mingxuan started instead of Li Kaier. After the opening, Zhao Rui used his height and physical advantages to attack the opponent's defense one after another, opening the situation for the Chinese team through free throws, but the Puerto Rican team played steadily and stretched the gap to 10 points through continuous outside attacks. At the end of the second quarter, the Chinese team suddenly muted the attack, and the Puerto Rican team opened the score again, and the Chinese team trailed their opponents by 15 points in the first half.
Chinese player Zhao Jiwei (left) shoots during a game on August 30. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhuang
After the opening of the second half, the Chinese men's basketball team rebounded and at one point narrowed the gap to less than 10 points. In the fourth quarter, the Chinese team was blocked one after another, and the Puerto Rican team showed the quality of a traditional strong team, continuously scoring points through the linkage of the inside and outside, and finally the Puerto Rican team won the game by 18 points.
Puerto Rico guard Waters scored a game-high 22 points and six assists, while interior powerhouse Romero had a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Chinese head coach Jordjevic said after the game: "The other side played very smart and made full use of our mistakes. Now we have to be calm, tomorrow is a brand new game, today I was more happy with the attacking part of the team, but defensively we have to be smarter. ”
On the 31st, the Chinese team will face Angola, the third place in Group A, in the qualifying round.