China overwhelm Uzbekistan 83-52 to finish atop
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-09-12 08:36

DOHA, Qatar, September 11 (Xinhua) -- China wrapped up the preliminary round with three wins after beating Uzbekistan 83-52 here on Sunday, finishing atop Group B at the Asian Basketball Champoinships for men.

China's San Yue (L) fights for the ball with Nuraliyev Hurmatjon of Uzbekistan as China's Zhang Jin song watches during their Asian Basketball Championship match at the al-Gharrafa hall in Doha, September 11, 2005. China won 83-52. [Reuters]

The three-time defending champion will face Japan, who finished second in Group C behind host Qatar, in the second phase of the tournament on Monday.

Yao Ming was rested in Sunday's game when power forward Mo Ke took his starting position.

"We don't need to have Yao to beat Uzbekistan," said China's head coach Jonas Kaslauskas. "We had two long trainings yesterday and one more today. I think those are enough for Yao (to keep the form)."

Wang Shipeng, who capped for China for the first time, led the game with 17 points, while veterans Li Nan and Zhang Jinsong adding 15 and 12 apiece.

Kuchin Sergey led Uzbekistan with 12 points.

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