China completes own ACQ sweep after romping Chinese Taipei anew

Shen Zijie powered China with a double-double. FIBA/Paul Ryan Tan

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--China completed a sweep of its own in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers after trampling Chinese Taipei anew, 91-73, in the final game of the qualifying phase at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.

Despite a seemingly better performance from the Taiwanese squad compared to their first meeting on Thursday night, China still got the better of them especially after pulling away for good in the third quarter through a 27-14 beating.

China took a 28-16 lead against Chinese Taipei in the first quarter, but the latter got closer in the second quarter and early into the third only for the former to blitz ahead again late in the third.

Zhou Peng led China, which won all its four games in the Angeles bubble despite having to play them in a five-day span, with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block.

Shen Zijie put up a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds with one assist and one block.

Wu Chia-Chun put up 13 markers, two assists, and two steals for Chinese Taipei.

Box Scores:

China 91-Zhou 21, Shen 18, Hu 13, Wu 12, J. Zhao 12, Y. Zhao 5, Zu 4, Lu 3, Wang 3, Zhu 0, Zhang 0, Liu 0

Chinese Taipei 73-C. Wu 13, S. Wu 10, Chen 10, Morrison 9, Su 8, Li 6, Lu 5, Hsieh 4, Gadiaga 3, Ku 3, Lin 2, Lan 0

Quarterscores: 28-16, 49-39, 76-53, 91-73

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