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Yi-led China aims to win back Asian title
Source: Agencies |
August 6, 2009, Thursday
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NEW Jersey Nets forward Yi Jianlian will lead China's charge for a 15th Asian basketball title in Tianjin today in the absence of injured NBA All-Star Yao Ming.
China has won 14 of the 17 Asia Championships it has participated in but, with an eye on the preparations for the Olympics, fielded a second string team and only finished 10th at the last edition in Japan in 2007.
Iran was crowned continental champion then but the host, with three players with NBA experience in its squad, will be strong favorites to emerge as winners of the final of the 16-team tournament on August 16.
"We have to win the championship. The goal has to be realized," said newly appointed national coach Guo Shiqiang.
In-form Yi has dominated China's three warm-up friendlies with an average of 21.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game since he returned from the US.
Another 2.13m former NBA forward Wang Zhizhi and guard Sun Yue, who has just been released by the champion LA Lakers, should at least see China safely out of opening Group C, which also includes Kazakhstan, Qatar and India.
China opens its title bid for the title against India today with the added incentive of a place at next year's world championships in Turkey for the top three finishers in Tianjin.
China has won 14 of the 17 Asia Championships it has participated in but, with an eye on the preparations for the Olympics, fielded a second string team and only finished 10th at the last edition in Japan in 2007.
Iran was crowned continental champion then but the host, with three players with NBA experience in its squad, will be strong favorites to emerge as winners of the final of the 16-team tournament on August 16.
"We have to win the championship. The goal has to be realized," said newly appointed national coach Guo Shiqiang.
In-form Yi has dominated China's three warm-up friendlies with an average of 21.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game since he returned from the US.
Another 2.13m former NBA forward Wang Zhizhi and guard Sun Yue, who has just been released by the champion LA Lakers, should at least see China safely out of opening Group C, which also includes Kazakhstan, Qatar and India.
China opens its title bid for the title against India today with the added incentive of a place at next year's world championships in Turkey for the top three finishers in Tianjin.
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