Chinese basketball players hold up the championship trophy on the podium during the awards ceremony for the 26th Asian Basketball Championships in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province yesterday. China defeated Jordan 70-69 to win the tournament. (AFP
AFP/Atlanta
Forward Yi Jianlian knocked down a free throw with 28 seconds left to give China a thrilling 70-69 victory over Jordan Sunday to win the Asian championship and secure a berth at the 2012 London Olympics. Yi scored 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead China to their 15th Asian title in a pressure-packed game before a wild capacity crowd in Wuhan. He was named the most valuable player.
The championship was China’s first since superstar Yao Ming retired in July and signals that the world’s most populous nation will remain a power in the region without the former NBA giant.
China’s basketball team have represented Asia at every Olympic Games since 1976.
“We didn’t start good tonight and we got behind, but we got it going good in the second quarter and played with a lot of effort and did everything to come back,” an exasperated Yi said.
“This win is an acknowledgement of all the work we have put in.”
Yi was fouled on a questionable call when he collided with Ali Zaghab while fighting for a rebound on Jordan’s end of the court with 28 seconds remaining.
Yi missed the first free throw, but made the second.
“It was regrettable, we played real well, but China came out on top. They are the better team,” Jordan’s point guard Sam Daghles said.
“It is unfortunate that the game was decided by the referees, it would have been better if the players decided the outcome.”
The loss ended Jordan’s dream run after they had eliminated two-time reigning champions Iran 88-84 in a shock quarter-final upset, then won their semi-final against the Philippines 75-61 on Saturday.
“We came out a little nervous at the beginning, but our veterans came out in the third quarter and gave us an incredible run that made the difference in the ball game,” China’s American coach Bob Donewald said.
Yi Jianlian “brings an intensity at a high level, as well as incredible skill both inside and out and he loves to play defence. I’m lucky to coach him,” he said.
Rasheim Wright led Jordan with 26 points, including the last eight straight points for his team and a three pointer that tied the game at 69-69 and silenced the home crowd.
“It was an unbelievable effort from our team,” Jordan coach Tab Baldwin said.
“Maybe nobody believed we could win that game, but in my heart I knew we could.”
Silver medallists Jordan and third-placed South Korea still have a chance to qualify for London if they can take one of the three spots on offer at next year’s Olympic qualifying tournament.
Iran finished fifth, but had the second best record with eight wins and one defeat. Jordan, the third place finisher in 2009, ended the tournament with a record of five wins and four losses. China remained undefeated.
In the bronze medal game, shooters Cho Sung-Min and Moon Tae-Jong each hit a three pointer in the final minute, helping South Korea overcome a 13-point deficit and defeat the Philippines 70-68.
Cho led South Korea with 20 points, while the Philippines were led by Marcus Douthit, the leading scorer and rebounder in Wuhan with 27 points and 22 rebounds.