The Chinese national basketball team qualified for the Asia Basketball Cup final for the first time since 2015 after defeating New Zealand by 14 points, 98-84, on Saturday in the first semifinal match. The ‘Great Wall’ team aims for its record 17th title in the competition, also the first since 2015, as it awaits the winner of the Australia vs. Iran match scheduled later. Both teams showed varied performance, but China’s advantage in the first quarter ensured their dominance throughout the game, with veteran player Roy Zhao and his teammates striking strongly, especially in the last minutes of the first quarter, ending it with a 9-point lead, 28-19. In the second quarter, the Oceanian team pressed hard, scoring 9 consecutive points to narrow the score to 42-40 at halftime, led by Taylor Brett and Mojave King.

Zhao, who finished the game with 24 points and 6 assists, performed strongly in the third quarter, which was a scoring duel between the two teams. The veteran player was decisive with his mid-range and long-range shots, as well as free throws. The response came from Taylor Brett (21 points and 6 assists) and Mojave King (19 points including 4 three-pointers and 3 steals), keeping the 2-point difference at 68-66 before the last quarter. The Chinese composure and steadiness emerged, gradually widening the gap despite New Zealand’s efforts to stay in the game, but Zhao sealed the match with a decisive three-pointer at the end. Wang Jungui added 14 points and 6 rebounds, while He Jinchiu had a strong presence under the basket, scoring 12 points with a 5 out of 6 success rate and adding 8 rebounds.