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Yao Ming finally quenched his thirst for victory but China will need another drink in order to reach the playoff rounds of the World Basketball Championship.

The 2.26m centre scored 26 points to lead previously winless China past Senegal 100-83 yesterday, sustaining Chinese hopes of advancing from Group D round-robin play to the 16-team knockout rounds that begin Saturday in Saitama.

"It was a big difference," Yao said. "It's like the first cup of water after 10 days (in the desert)."

But China, 1-3, must still defeat Slovenia in today's final round-robin game to advance.

"We're still in the desert. We need to dig out more water," Chinese forward Wang Zhizhi said.

Slovenia beat Puerto Rico 90-82 yesterday, leaving both teams 2-2 ahead of China, which would advance on a head-to-head tiebreaker over Slovenia if they can take the victory today.

The Chinese would eliminate Puerto Rico on a point-differential superiority in a three-way deadlock if they beat Slovenia and Puerto Rico loses to Italy.

China outscored Senegal 16-3 over the final 4:17 to break open a tight game as Wang Zhi-Zhi and Wang Shipeng each sank back-to-back three-pointers and Liu Wei contributed four points in the decisive run.

"In the last few minutes you saw some miraculous shooting," Yao said. "Our shooters hit some big shots."

Yao, a star for the National Basketball Association Houston Rockets, is the leading scorer in the tournament, averaging 26.7 points a game, and second in rebounds with 9.0 a game as well as the player most fouled by opponents.

Yao pulled down nine rebounds and blocked four shots while being fouled 12 times.

Wang, China's first NBA player, scored 19 points while Wang Shipeng added 17 and Liu Wei contributed 16.

"I believe we can do better," Wang said.

Jules Aw scored 19 to lead Senegal, which cannot advance. Aw's fast break layup cut Senegal's deficit to 84-80 with 4:42 remaining but the winless Africans surrendered the next 13 points, eliminating any chance to advance.

"It's tough as far as not being able to close out teams but it's reassuring to see that we can hold teams for 3 1/2 quarters without our best players from the NBA," Senegal coach Moustapha Gaye said.

Wang had stayed in North America to make the most of his NBA opportunity but mended fences with Chinese officials and was welcomed back onto the team.

His performance against Senegal, including nine rebounds, showed the form China hopes will last to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Since we have no way back and this game was our only way to advance, I tried to get myself back into shape," Wang said. "I'm very happy two be part of the team again. I prepared a long time for this comeback."

The United States survived their first real test with a 94-85 win over Italy.

Earlier, Olympic gold medallists Argentina crushed Nigeria and Spain beat African champions Angola as both teams joined the US with a perfect 4-0 record.

The US stormed back from a 45-36 halftime deficit, the odds-on tournament favourites outscoring Italy 35-19 in the third quarter to wrestle control of a physical Group D clash.

Carmelo Anthony exploded for 35 points and co-captain Dwyane Wade added 26 for the Americans, who are bidding to end a barren spell of six years without an Olympic or world title.

"Italy were magnificent," US coach Mike Krzyzewski told reporters. "They were the toughest-minded players we've seen internationally."

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili added 20 points for Argentina, who look the most likely challengers to hot favourites US for the gold medal.

(China Daily August 24, 2006)