SYDNEY, June 26 (Xinhua) — Pre-tournament favorites China and Japan flexed their muscular tissues on the FIBA Women’s Basketball Asia Cup right here after recording convincing victories on Monday.
China, world No. 2, began their quest to finish a 12-year continental title drought with a crushing 89-44 win over Forty fourth-ranked Lebanon.
After ending runners-up ultimately 12 months’s World Cup, China returned to Sydney Olympic Park with a dominant efficiency highlighted by a superb 22-2 third quarter.
Towering Han Xu was unstoppable contained in the paint to complete with 17 factors and 10 rebounds, whereas Li Meng, who starred ultimately 12 months’s World Cup, had 12 factors, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.
“We had limited time to train together as a whole and adapt to each other’s styles,” Han stated after the sport about China’s preparation. “As for the Asia Cup, I think we need to strengthen our defense in the following games.”
Lebanon supplied an early combat and was impressed by their greatest participant Rebecca Akl, who scored 9 of her 13 factors in a dynamic first quarter.
South Korea, who’ve received a document 12 Asia Cup titles, had been anticipated to be China’s hardest challenger in Pool A, however a sluggish begin proved expensive as they trailed by 16 factors at half-time in opposition to New Zealand.
South Korea, world No. 12, stormed again into the competition solely to fall brief when New Zealand star Penina Davidson scored the game-winning bucket with 25 seconds left.
Davidson produced a Herculean efficiency with 24 factors and 10 rebounds, taking part in each minute of the nerve-jangling contest.
“I’m very proud of the girls and our program for the great start to the tournament,” Davidson stated.
Five-time defending champions Japan eased previous Chinese Taipei 94-53 to open Pool B motion.
Japan struggled to shake their gritty opponents in a aggressive first half earlier than gaining a stranglehold of the competition.
Stephanie Mawuli was a standout with 18 factors and 9 rebounds as Tokyo Olympic silver medallists Japan intention to rebound after a lackluster World Cup end of ninth.
“We had a perfect start to the Asia Cup, but there are things we need to keep working on for the following games,” Mawuli stated.
Lin Yu-Ting (14 factors) was the one participant to complete in double figures for Chinese Taipei, who must bounce again shortly in opposition to hosts Australia on Tuesday.
In the night time sport, Australia utilized their top benefit to devastating impact in a 105-34 thrashing of the Philippines.
A brand new-look Australia, with simply three gamers from final 12 months’s third-placed World Cup crew, jumped out of the blocks shortly and intimidated their smaller opponents to steer 30-7 after the primary quarter.
But 21-year-old Vanessa De Jesus, who performs for American school Duke University, scored 11 factors in two minutes in a determined bid to rally the Philippines within the second quarter.
It wasn’t almost sufficient as basketball powerhouse Australia made their first step in direction of successful a first-ever Asia Cup title.
The Philippines will face one other robust check in opposition to Japan on day two of the competitors.