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)