Guo Ailun (6) passes the ball during the match between China and Lebanon at the 2015 Asian Championship in Changsha, Hunan Province, Sept. 28, 2015. China beat Lebanon 90-72. (Photo : CRIENGLISH)
China became the sole unbeaten team at the 2015 FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship after defeating Lebanon 90-72 in Changsha on Monday.
Former NBA player Yi Jilian posted match-high 19 points to lead the six Chinese players who had double-digit performance during the game. Jasmon Youngblood and Bassel Bawji contributed team-high 14 points for Lebanon respectively.
After returning home to take care of his sick daughter and coming back two days later, the Chinese team's captain Zhou Peng was among the starting five and hit a three-pointer that started the game.
Yi continued the momentum with two consecutive slam dunks, causing the stadium to fill with screams from fans. By the end of the first quarter, the host team led 24-17.
Chinese basketball icon and former Rockets big man Yao Ming, who sat among the audience during the game, appeared on the big screen followed by the image of Zhou Qi, the youngest Chinese center who was playing on the court. Zhou helped the team gain a 15-point advantage before halftime.
Lebanon hit five three-pointers in the third quarter to share a 21-point performance with China. Guo Ailun, the point guard of the Chinese team, scored seven straight points down at the end of the period.
Zhai Xiaochuan and Yi Jianlian posted a combined three slam dunks in a row, giving China the lead with 24 points before Lebanon's Bassel Bawji cut the deficit by seven points. But by the end of the fourth period, the host team still had a comfortable 90-72 lead to victory.
After Iran's loss to the Philippines earlier on Monday, China is the only unbeaten team at the tournament.
"We already had analysis reports of key players of every team," said China's head coach, Gong Luming. "So there won't be any special arrangement before tomorrow's match."
