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By Krista Angela M. Montealegre, Reporter
CEBU CITY: Huaquiao University of China
displayed its awesome form against Han Yang University of Korea,
70-65, Thursday night to reach the championship round of the 6th
Asian University Basketball Championships at the Cebu City Coliseum.
Banking on big men Chee Li Wei, Weng Delong and
Yu Xiang, and shooter Zhang Jiabin, the Xiamen-based squad put up a
strong challenge in the final minute to secure the win.
Chee, Weng and Yu, who combined for 29 points,
controlled the boards and intimidated Han Yang’s slashers.
The Chinese clamped down its defense on Korean
hotshot Song Se Joon, who only managed seven points after firing a
tournament-best 37 points in their last game against Angeles
University Foundation.
Lee Dong Geon, who erupted for 36 points in
their game against University of Luzon, was shut down to only two
points.
Huaquiao’s defense also limited Han Yang,
which was averaging a tournament-best 94 points per game, to only 65
points.
While Han Yang experienced an off-night in the
perimeter, Zhang Jiabin came out sizzling in the third quarter,
scoring 11 straight points highlighted by three consecutive triples,
to fuel Huaquiao’s break away. He finished with a game-high 16
points.
After Korea made it 63-66 on Kim Han Seok’s
two free-throws, 1:04 remaining, Yu Xiang countered with a basket
for a 68-63 count.
The Koreans made a couple of turnovers in which
ended with Zhang sinking two charities off Lee Sang Il.
Lee scored on a layup in the other end but it
was too late for Han Yang to rally back.
Han Yang took the first quarter 15-10 before
Huaquiao fought back to take the half 27-26 on Wang Jayi’s
buzzer-beating jumper.
“We are happy and excited to play in the
championships but we will just keep it calm. We will try to give our
best in the game,” said jubilant Huaquiao coach Liu Yuanjing, who
also thanked the Chinese community for watching the game.
Meanwhile, University of Visayas, sporting a 3-1
record, needs to win against its Cebu-based rival SWU, carrying a
2-2 card, to secure a championship showdown with Huaquiao.
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