Manila, June 16 -- waited debut in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (ACQ) with a 66-57 win against Japan to open the Angeles bubble for the third window on Wednesday.
Despite showing signs of rustiness as the team only played in the ACQ for the first time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese side made its Japanese opponent miss NBA players Yuta Watanabe and Rui Hachimura more with a solid defensive effort.
China slowed Japan down in the first half, holding them to only 20 points including eight in the second quarter.
China then broke away early in the second half, stretching its lead to 22, 57-35, with 8:17 remaining in the fourth period.
Japan came alive midway through the fourth as a barrage of triples sparked a 16-1 run to cut the l...