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China takes expected easy victory over Singapore

Xinhua, September 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

Host China rolled to a 91-42 win over Singapore in their opening match of the FIBA Asia Championship of men's basketball here on Wednesday.

China is eager to winning the title of the championship as the title winner will qualify for Rio de Janeiro Olympics, while Chinese men's basketball team has never missed one Summer Olympics since 1984. But the pressure hold the feet of the host as China failed to score in the first two minutes until Zhou Peng made in two free throws.

But even that Chinese team is just too strong for Singapore. They scored only five in the first quarter and could only saw the score difference becoming larger. China poured in 26 points of the games's 30 points in a run and just put the result beyond doubt after the first quarter.

China dominated on boards, grabbing 46 to just 23 for Singapore but still had 13 turnovers. All Chinese players except Zhao Tailong scored. No single player stood out in this comprehensive victory for China, while Zhai Xiaochuan led by 13. Yi Jianlian played for less than 18 minutes and still had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Wong Wei-Long led Singapore with a match-high 15 points.

The result should never be read too much as China, who's looking to bounce back from a disappointing tournament in 2013 when they lost to Chinese Taipei in quarterfinals, will face tougher opponents in upcoming matches.

"This Asian Championship is a good chance for this new Chinese team," said Chinese head coach Gong Luming. "Singapore are small-sized and quick and we will learn from this match and make preparations for the next one. I hope that we will paly better and more reasonable."

China will play against their East Asia arch-rival South Korea on Thursday.

"South Korea is a team with unique characters. Though they maybe short of members, it won't be an easy match tomorrow. We have to perform our best," said Gong. Endi