China run away from doughty Taiwan to book berth

Though China, Asia’s highest-ranked team at eighth spot in the world rankings, and Taiwan failed to reach the final, the match had its own significance with the final ticket to the next year’s World Championship in Turkey at stake for the winners of the tie.

The two sides had met in the group phase and it was the seven-time champions China who came out on top 85-63. But, on the back of their second loss in the event to 11th-ranked South Korea in Saturday’s semi-final match, the Chinese needed to be at their best if they were to salvage their disappointing campaign with a consolation third spot.

And, things appeared to go in the same vein when China opened up a 4-0 lead even though it took them more than a minute to find the first basket. After missing a couple of sitters, the Taiwanese, whose world ranking is 25, came back with a vengeance for a 9-2 run to surge in front at 9-6.

China needed a timeout to turn the tide as they took a 5-0 run before the Taiwanese drew level at 11 at the end of the opening quarter. It stayed tight for most of the second quarter, which saw the lead change hands several times, before the Chinese made a late rally to take a narrow 30-26 half-time lead.

In the first half alone, China pressed on their physical advantage by scoring a hefty tally of 18 points in the paint. However, they struggled to capitalise on the second chance with a mere four points.

After the break, the Taiwanese managed to haul themselves level at 39 but China again regrouped to embark on a 7-2 run to take a 46-41 lead into the final quarter. Even though Taiwan launched a stiff challenge, the Chinese kept their nerves to book their place for Turkey.    

The 18th-ranked Japan, who were yet to lose a match in the event, were due to take on bitter rivals South Korea, last edition’s finalists, in the final showdown in the evening yesterday. They were both assured of the berths for the World Championship.