After a decade-long wait, Team Dragon are back in the FIBA Asia Cup final.
China pulled off a massive 98-84 upset over New Zealand in the continental showpiece on Saturday evening (Manila time) at King Abdullah Sports City.
This marks China’s first return to the gold medal match since Oceania was integrated into FIBA Asia. It placed fourth in 2017 and eighth in 2022.
Now, the Dragons await the winner of the Australia-Iran clash later in the night as they chase a record-extending 17th Asia Cup crown.
Clinging to a slim 72-71 lead, China went on the attack. Yu Jiahao, Liao Sanning, and Zhao Rui sparked an 8-0 run that created much-needed separation.
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Moments later, Zhao took over, scoring five straight points — two free throws and a three-pointer — before Gao Shiyan buried another trey to push China’s advantage to 89-76 with less than four minutes left.
Mojave King tried to rally the Tall Blacks, but the momentum and confidence were firmly on China’s side.
Zhao and Liao delivered the final blows, sealing China’s ticket to the final for the 18th time in the tournament’s 31 editions.
Zhao finished with 24 points on 7-of-11 shooting alongside six assists.
(C) FIBA.basketball
Wang Jungjie contributed 14 points and six rebounds, while Hu Mingxuan added 13 markers. Liao and Hu Jingqiu chipped in 12 points apiece, with Hu also grabbing eight boards.
China swept Group C with commanding wins over Saudi Arabia, India, and Jordan, averaging a margin of 19.3 points per game, before dispatching Korea, 79-71, in the quarterfinals.
New Zealand, the top team in Pool D, survived a scare in the quarters, coming from behind to beat Lebanon, 90-86.
Taylor Britt led the Tall Blacks with 21 points and six assists, while King added 19 in the losing effort.
