China scores 91-point beatdown over Malaysia

Xiaoxu LI of Chine (white) vs Chin Yong WONG of Malaysia (dark). FIBA ASIA PHOTO by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Reeling from its stinging loss to Korea Thursday night, defending champion China vented its ire on an erratic Malaysia side, 113-22, in the opening game of day two of the 27th FIBA-Asia Championship Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

China’s big men Wang Zhelin and veteran Wang Zhizhi asserted their size as the undersized Malaysians struggled mightily to keep them out of their zone.

The 19-year-old Wang Zhelin led the onslaught with 21 points on nine-of-12 shooting from the field on top of eight rebounds and two blocks while the smooth-moving Wang Zhizhi added 17 points.

China, which took a 59-63 setback against the Joo-sung Kim led Korea, wasted no time as it scored the game’s first 28 points before its unrelenting pressure in the second half blew the game open much further.

China won by 91 points even with its star Yi Jianlian sitting the game out with a hamstring injury.

Malaysia, which absorbed a 25-115 blowout against another Asian power in Iran in its opening game, didn’t play any better with the Chinese, who were just as tall and formidable as the Iranians.

Shooters Zhu Fangyu and Ailin Guo also posed problems for Malaysia, which had no player in double-digit scoring, with 16 points each.