Mon, July 06, 2009
BELGRADE, July 4 (Xnhua) -- Chinese men's basketball team lost to traditional powerhouse Canada 83-100 in their second and final group match and failed to qualify to the top 16 from a three-team-based Group C at the Universiade 2009 here on Saturday.
Veteran forward Yang Chao had a game-high 35 points to lead China. Cao Zhenhua added 19 points and six rebounds while guard Xing Lu took 10 point and six assists. The trio all played at the Bangkok Universiade in 2007 and it is third time for Yang Chao to play at University Games.
Center Zhang Zhaoxu, who is said to be "next Yao Ming" for his 2.18-meter stature, had a triple double of 12 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks. He had 15 points, 16 rebounds and eight blocks in China's 79-90 loss to Italy on Friday.
The quartet combined 76 of all China's 83 points, while Li Xuesong and Ren Junfei made the other seven. Five Canadians made more than ten points while Greg Surmacz holds a team-high 22, along with eight rebounds.
Italy and Canada will qualify to the top 16 while China will fight against Australia and Iran in the next stage.
