Despite being a powerhouse team in Asia, China will not be part of this year’s World Cup after not being included in the four wildcard entries announced on Saturday.
photo credit: www.jumpshot.sg
Fiba instead named Finland, Greece, Turkey and Brazil as the last teams that will complete the 24-nation cast of this year’s Fiba world Championship staging.
Unlike the high-ranking Greece (no.5), Turkey (no.7) and Brazil (no.10), the Yi Jian Lian led-China team, which ranked 12th in the Fiba rankings did not make it as wild card but rather Finland got a slot.
Recognized as one of the strongest Asian teams, China failed to secure an automatic berth in the World Cup after a quarterfinal exit in the Fiba Asia Championship last August, which boosted the Philippines and South Korea’s bid to get tickets bound for Spain.
The announcement of the four wild cards went before the tournament draw that will be held on February 3 in Barcelona, where Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes is expected to attend.
