China forward Zhou Peng. FIBA ASIA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—China started off on the right note, dealing Japan a 66-57 loss in the group stages of the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers third window Wednesday at Angeles City Foundation Gym.
Forward Zhou Peng led Team Dragon’s offense with 16 points 6-of-12 shooting, while 6-foot-11 center Shen Zijie put up 11 points, five rebounds, one steal, and one block.
China took control of the game early on building a quick 13-3 lead after Ten Junfei put back his own miss with 3:42 to play in the first quarter.
🇨🇳China win their 1st #FIBAAsiaCup Qualifiers game !
👉 https://t.co/2Y4LWoJ6AI
📲 https://t.co/N8vXlNKcUu
📺 https://t.co/CYTVDKFYGG pic.twitter.com/o7oEMKWb4a— 🏀FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) June 16, 2021
Team Dragon carried that momentum throughout the match and took a 20-point lead, 58-38, early into the fourth quarter after Lu Wenbo cashed in from the stripe with 7:40 remaining.
China moved to a 1-0 record while Japan, which is now tied with Chinese-Taipei, still sits atop Group B with a 1-1 card.
Substitute guards Hiejima Makoto and Kanamaru Kosuke led Akatsuki Five with 12 points apiece as China held Japan to a paltry 21-of-62 shooting from the field.