The South Koreans made put on the first FIBA Asia shocker as they defeated the depending champion China with a thrilling 63-59 upset during the opening day of the FIBA Asia Championship on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The depending champion China struggled all game against the more determined South Korean especially with their defensive capabilities. The match between the South Korean and China became a low-scoring struggle using a variety of full-court traps and zone schemes.
The South Koreans was leading in the fourth quarter with 48-44 in score, before the Chinese superstar and former NBA player Yi Jianlian took over for the Chinese squad. China grab a 53-52 advantage with 3:11 left in the game.
Chinese player Zhou Peng hit two free throws and gave China a 55-52 cushion, before Kim Joo-sung responded for South Korea with a three-point over Yi to tie the game at 55-all at the 2:08 mark of the game. Kim made one of the most crucial steal leading to China committing an unsportsmanlike foul on Donggeun Yang, who nailed two free throws 57-55 advantage.
The South Korean team squandered its extra possession, China got the ball and Zhu Fangyu nailed two free throws in the ensuing play to tie the game at 57-all with 40.5 seconds. Cho Sungmin drew a foul on Zhu in the next play, hitting two charity baskets for a 59-57 lead with 31.5 seconds left. South Korea foiled China’s next set, and Cho scored two more free throws for a 61-57 lead with 21.5 seconds left.
China’s Liu Xiaoxu drew a foul and scored on a drive to the basket but the Chinese guard missed his bonus free throw, forcing China to foul South Korea once more. Donggeun nailed two more free throws, giving South Korea a 63-59 edge with 13.8 seconds left and the game ended with a sweet victory for South Korea.
Kim led South Korea with 15 points, while Cho and Donggeun added 12 and 11, respectively. On China’s part Yi scored with 23 points and 10 rebounds leading all scorer for the depending champion.
Photo Credit: FIBA Asia/Nuki Sabio