CHINA exacted revenge for its heartbreaking semifinal loss to Gilas Pilipinas three years ago with a 105-61 rout to close the 2026 Asian Games men’s basketball group stage on Monday in Japan.
The 44-point defeat dropped the 2023 Asiad champions to a 1-2 record in the preliminary round of Group C and eliminated the Philippines from the men’s 5-on-5 basketball competition.
Needing to lose by no more than 37 points to secure one of the two best third-place quarterfinal berths, Gilas Pilipinas struggled on both ends of the floor from the opening tip.
The eight-time Asiad gold medal winners China raced to a commanding lead and took a 66-30 advantage into halftime, putting the Philippines in serious danger of elimination.
The Chinese continued to pull away in the second half, stretching their lead to as many as 44 points. Gilas briefly cut the deficit to 36 early in the fourth quarter after a three-pointer from Robert Bolick, but China quickly restored its huge advantage.
China attacked the Philippine interior defense before finishing the game strongly from beyond the arc, denying Gilas any chance of completing a comeback.
Junjie Wang led China with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Sanning Liao added 14 points, while Mingxuan Hu contributed 13.
Hongquan Li and Boqiai Chao scored 11 points apiece, with Yongxi Cui and Hu Jingqui finishing with 10 each.
Calvin Oftana led Gilas with 13 points, while Sedrick Barefield added nine.
The result marked a painful reversal of the Philippines’ 2023 Asian Games campaign, when Gilas defeated China in the semifinals before eventually winning the gold medal.
This time, China delivered the decisive blow and sent the defending champions out of the tournament. (Adrian Co)
