Defending champions China suffered a big blow in the opening day
of the 2007 Asian men's basketball Championship on Saturday, beat
by Jordan 78-65 in Group A.
China, fielding its second team in the championship, was served
by Wang Bo and Wang Yong in the early stage after the game began
and led 18-17 into the second quarter.
But Jordan soon geared up in the following quarters and Rasheim
Wright, who top scored the match with 31 points destroyed China's
defense in the second quarter and Jordan led 35-30 before the
break.
After Zaid Alkhas, who accounted for 22 points and eight
defensive rebounds found his rhythm in the third quarter, there was
no looking back for Jordan. Buoyed by the duo, Jordan created a
12-0 run in the third quarter and totally controlled the game to
the important first win in the tournament.
"The first game is always important for a team, and we won it."
said Mario Palma, headcoach of Jordan.
"This is the first time in history that Jordan has beaten China.
I think it's a remarkable day for me.
"With every team as good as the other in our group, the side
with better plan and homework is bound to clinch. And that's
exactly what gave us the winning edge today," he added.
Yang Ming and Wang Bo led the Chinese team with 15 points and
Wang Yong and Bian Qiang added seven each.
Chinese headcoach A Dijiang shrugged off the defeat and saying,
"For some reasons, we brought young players to the tournament.
Among 12 players, 11 of them haven't taken part in Asian
Championship before, they are to young to control the game."
"This is the price we have to pay to make these young players
grow up soon and I have not too much anger on the defeat." said A
Dijiang.
(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2007)