China storms into FIBA Asia Cup semis, ends decade-long wait

China held off a late South Korea surge to clinch a 79-71 victory on Thursday at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, booking its first FIBA Asia Cup semifinal ticket in a decade.

Forward Hu Jinqiu dominated the paint with 23 points and 11 rebounds to be named Player of the Game, while Wang Junjie scored a tournament-high 21 points —15 in the first half — shooting 64.3 percent in the field to set an early tone.

Former national team star Ding Yanyuhang offered a succinct verdict at halftime: "You can see him everywhere."

"He's done way better than I did (playing with the national team for the first time)," Ding said of Wang's performance during live commentating on qq.com.

The Thursday win has improved Team China's all-time head-to-head record against Korea to 17-4 since the two teams first met in 1975.

"We finally reached the top four, one target done," Hu told China Media Group after the game. "Now we aim higher. Defense is a collective effort. We will keep fighting to leave no regrets."

China's size dictated the play from the opening tip. The team corralled 20 offensive rebounds, translating extra possessions into steady points. A deliberate, patient offense repeatedly found cutters lurking behind Korea's aggressive close-outs, and the frontline cashed in around the rim.

On the other end, China's switching scheme smothered Korea's perimeter game, limiting the side to 3-of-24 from three-point range.

"We executed the game plan against their key shooters, especially Lee Hyun-jung," forward Wang said.

Yet physicality came at a cost, as China fouled 21 times to allow the Koreans 26 free-throw attempts, twice its own tally.

"Whenever a call went against us, we reminded each other to stay calm," Hu recalled, composure never wavered. "The goal never changed, to win the game."

And Team China delivered.

The opening quarter was nip-and-tuck, but China seized control in the second, scoring 21 points while holding Korea to 11, anchored by Hu's dominance in the paint. Wang's buzzer-beating three extended the gap to 11 at the break.

A late Korean flurry trimmed China's edge to six points inside the final minute, but Liao Sanning's trademark step-back jumper with 32 seconds left killed the game. Captain Zhao Rui dribbled out the clock, ball held high, to seal the triumph.

Despite the win, Team China's stagnant perimeter offense, exposed by the combined 1-of-15 3-point shooting of five guards, has emerged a concern for the coaching staff to address before the semifinals.

China now awaits the winner of Friday's New Zealand-versus-Lebanon quarterfinal clash for the semis matchup, which is scheduled to tip off on Saturday evening.

Whoever stands in its way, Team Dragon seems fired up enough to claw its way back to the final of the continental showpiece.

"Of course, we will go for the title," Wang said of the squad's goal entering the knockout stage.

Jiang Xinyu contributed to the story