Asian champions China outplayed Cuba 78-63 to grab their first win at the 2005 International Women's Basketball Tournament in Shanghai on Wednesday.
The Asian champions, boosted by the thundering applause and cheers from the audience, manifested its leadership in Asia as well as a powerhouse in the world by outplaying Cuba with a 40-21 lead in the first half.
"Our player did really well tonight, and they played their best," said China coach Tom Maher. "Ye Li shows a good example to the young players with her hard working and unstoppable pursuing for the win of the team."
Cuba, who beat Athens Olympic bronze medallists Russia in northeast Chinese city Harbin last week, began to find their rhythm in the third quarter, using solid defense to produce several successful blocks and shortening the gap to 58-42 to enter the forth quarter.
Cuba coach Armando Acosta Armas praised his team as well as China's defense.
"China is a strong team, and they did a good job tonight, especially their defense, We did not have much chance to break through into the ace, and our players regained some confidence in the forth quarter, but we were not lucky enough to make a comeback," said Armas, who guarded his team's third place finish in Harbin last week.
The Chinese did not give Cuba any other chance in the last period after Cuba catching up to 72-61 with almost three minutes to go, and center Zhang Xiaoni nailed a jumper to seal the win for the host.
Center Chen Nan grabbed 16 points and eight rebounds to lead the host, while Zhang Xiaoni contributed 12 points and six rebounds. Ye Li added five points and three rebounds.
"Chen Nan will become a super star sooner or later, as I always said that she would be a star if she played in WNBA, but not now, she is young, and there are still many things she need to learn," said Maher, who regarded Chen Nan as one of the best players he has ever coached and the best center in Asia.
Yamilet Peillon led Cuba with 18 points and eight rebounds, Casan added 15 points and three rebounds.
The tournament features four teams, namely China, Russia, Australia and Cuba. China will take on Australia, while Cuba will face Russia on Tuesday.
(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2005)
