Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi teamed up for the first time in five years, but
failed to save China from an 88-78 lose to Brazil on Sunday at the Stankovic Cup
in Nanjing.
Yao Ming, left, and
Wang Zhizhi during the match between China and Brazil in Nanjing August
13, 2006.[Xinhua] |
China finished third in the group B and has to face Australia for the 5th
placing at the continental champions competition.
France was upset by Australia 77-71 in group A and gave the final berth to
European champion Greece.
Greece tied with France and Australia with three points each but advanced on
point difference. Greece will face group B winner Germany in the championship
match on Tuesday at Kunshan.
The Houston Rockets' center Yao, who had foot surgery this summer, played
with Wang in the national team before Wang joined the Dallas Mavericks as the
first Asian player to join the National Basketball Association in 2001.
Wang injured his right knee in a warm-up trip in Europe last month, failing
to team up with Yao after Yao came back on Aug. 1.
The pair shared the court 47 seconds into the second quarter, forcing Brazil
to miss three straight shots and committing four fouls in over three minutes.
Yao-Wang did not make big change to the score board, but kept China into the
game when Brazil leading 44-38 before the break.
A 16-2 run in the third quarter put Brazil on the top for good when the South
Americans won the quarter 31-13.
Yao and Wang were both on the court for another brief spell, but China let
loose the match for poor defence.
China reinforce the defence in the closing minutes as it suffocated Brazil
for three minutes and ran for 14 straight points to make it 86-76 with 1:40
minutes to go.
Anderson Varejao had the first basket on the eighth attempt in the last
minute for Brazil.
"Yao gives much space for the outside shooters. But we still had problem to
pass the ball inside to his hand," Wang said.
"I'm glad we finished the game in a good spirit. We will strengthen our
defence to make better games at the world championships," he added.
Foward Yi Jianlian led China with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Yao had 16 and
six.
Lenadro Mateus Barbosa had 20 points for Brazil, while Varejao had 12 points
and eight rebounds.
Last-year's NBA No.1 pick Andrew Bogut scored 20 points and grabbed eight
rebounds to lead Australia for the only victory of the competition.
San Antonio Spurs' point guard Tony Parker had game-high 22 points for
France, but Phoenix Suns' forward Boris Diaw had only three rebounds to finish
scoreless.
The World Championships will start on Aug. 19 in Japan. All the six teams in
the competition will compete in the championships.
