With a narrow 78-76 loss to the Philippines on Saturday at the Asia Men's Basketball Championship, defending champions China have placed 10th - the country's worst result in the continent's major basketball prize.

Zhang Gai was China's top scorer with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Li Ke added 13, but their efforts were not enough to prevent Adijiang's squad from making history for the wrong reasons.

China were up 22-19 after the opening quarter, but the impatient team failed to widen the gap due to inefficiency in offence and unforced errors.

Li Ke scored consecutive points in the fourth quarter started to put China in front, 67-62. However their rivals suddenly erupted, cutting the Chinese lead and making it 76-76 with 49 seconds to play.

China missed four free throws, while the Philippines took avail of two throws just before the final buzz to wrap up the victory.
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(CRI.cn August 5, 2007)