MANILA – China won for the first time in the FIBA World Cup after trouncing Angola, 83-76, in their classification game on Thursday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
China turned the tides in the third quarter, outscoring Angola, 24-14, to break a 45-all halftime deadlock to take a 69-59 lead entering the fourth.
Angola brought China into a team foul penalty midway through the fourth period, but free-throw misses haunted them as China held on.
Hu Jinqiu led China – which gets some sort of advantage ahead of a potential Paris Olympics qualifier against Gilas Pilipinas on Saturday night – with 20 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one block.
Kyle Anderson added 17 markers, seven boards, four dimes, one block, and one steal.
Childe Dundao made 17 points, three rebounds, eight assists, and two steals, and Bruno Fernando put up 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists for Angola, which closes out its campaign against South Sudan also on Saturday night. (PNA)
