Gold medalists Team China rejoice with the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2023 trophy through the medal ceremony after the event’s ultimate in Sydney, Australia, July 2, 2023. /CFP
Team China beat Team Japan 73-71 to win the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Women’s Asia Cup in Sydney on Sunday.
This was China’s twelfth title within the occasion’s historical past, in addition to their first since 2011, ending Japan’s five-time profitable streak and placing China stage with South Korea on the variety of wins.
Japan led 26-35 going into the second half. However, China narrowed the hole down to a few factors earlier than the final quarter after towering middle Han Xu scored seven straight factors to spice up China’s morale at the start of the third quarter.
Han Xu of China (L) drives to the basket through the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup ultimate match towards Japan in Sydney, Australia, July 2, 2023. /CFP
Two three-pointers from ahead Li Meng and Wang Siyu leveled the rating for China at 60-60 midway into the final quarter earlier than Han once more got here to the rescue to place China forward 68-66, and the Chinese aspect subsequently sealed the deal 73-71.
Tournament MVP Han, 23, produced a game-high 26 factors and 10 rebounds, together with a vital one which stored China within the lead with lower than 20 seconds left on the clock. Both Li Meng and Wang had 17 factors, whereas Li Yuan contributed seven and Pan Zhenqi had two. Maki Takada top-scored with 17 factors for Japan.
Team China rejoice after profitable the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Sydney, Australia, July 2, 2023. /CFP
Standing 2.08 meters tall, Han was additionally a key presence throughout China’s runner-up end finally yr’s Women’s World Cup. Han, a member of the WNBA aspect New York Liberty, mentioned after the match, “Our teammates are very talented, excellent and brave. I have trust in them; I hope I can control the situation in critical moments and act as a backbone inside the paint to lead young players in the team.”
“I will do my best and learn to handle pressure. I am still young and have a lot to improve. The game made my team and me more confident. We will take every practice well to achieve greater goals in the future,” she went on to say.
The subsequent problem for the Chinese ladies’s basketball gamers would be the Asian Games, which might be held in Hangzhou, China, in September. Women’s Asia Cup hosts Australia, who completed third, and fourth-placed New Zealand joined the finalists to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifier.
Source: CGTN