Chinese NBA star Yao Ming has been awarded the Most Valuable Player in the Diamond Ball Tournament in Belgrade though China finished fourth in the Athens Olympic warm-up.

Yao Ming and Li Nan, Bayi Rockets' ace, scored a game high 17 points apiece for China but Argentina, China's group opponent at the Olympics, eventually pulled away to win the semi-final.

China, coached by American Del Harris, committed surprising 36 turnovers in the 84-74 loss to Argentina.

Liu Wei, who will attend Sacramento's training camp in September with the hope of becoming first non-center from China to play in the NBA, had 16 points.

China finished fourth in the tournament with the record of one win, two losses.

Host Serbia-Montenegro secured a surprisingly easy 93-80 victory over 2003 European champion Lithuania to win the tournament.

China will travel to Lithuania on Wednesday for a week of training and move directly to the Olympic Village in Athens. (Photo source: Xinhua News Agency)

(CRI August 5, 2004)