China avoids upset, rallies vs Chinese Taipei in FIBA Asia World Cup Qualifiers

China’s Liao Sanning

(FIBA)

MANILA, Philippines — China on Sunday completed a come-from-behind win over Chinese Taipei, 100-93, to win its second straight contest in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.

China, which lost both games in the first window, thus finished the second window with huge wins over Japan and Chinese Taipei.

This time, the Chinese squad climbed from 11 points down to grab the win.

Zhu Junlong fired away for the winning squad with 19 points, four rebounds and two assists. Hi Jinqiu chipped in 15 markers and six boards.

Chinese Taipei kept its distance against China, building an 11-point lead, 77-66, in the third quarter after a pair of free throws by Ray Chen.

But seven straight points by China capped by a deuce by Li Hongquan sliced the deficit to four, 73-77.

Chinese Taipei then hit timely shots to keep China at arm’s length, but the latter kept coming back.

The Chinese were able to tie things up at 91 after a triple by Jiwei Zhao with 2:45 remaining.

A pair of free throws by Zhao Rui gave China the lead, 95-93, with 1:42 left.

After both teams missed their shots, Hu Jinqiu and Rui iced the game with free throws as Chinese Taipei failed to make a basket down the stretch.

Zhao Jiewi finished with 13 points for the winning team, while Rui had 12 on 2-of-13 shooting.

Ray Chen carried the offensive load for Chinese Taipei with 26 points, while Lin had 22. Brandon Gilbeck had a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Justin Lu chipped in 15 points.

China rose to 2-2 in the standings, while their opponents dropped to a 1-3 win-loss slate.