Last-minute turnovers cause China's loss to Spanish club Joventut in basketball friendly

QUZHOU, China - Four crucial turnovers led to China's men's basketball team falling to Spanish Liga ACB club Joventut Badalona, 70-65, in a warmup match on Wednesday.

China's guard Liao Sanning scored a game-high 16 points, while his backcourt partner Hu Mingxuan recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 assists. Yang Hansen contributed five points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.

For Joventut, Croatian veteran Ante Tomic led with 13 points, and Dutch international Yannick Kraag added 11.

Both teams agreed to play with 13-man lineups before the game. However, Joventut's forward Kaiser Gates, who briefly played for the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-way contract, was sidelined due to knee pain. China trimmed its squad, cutting centers Zhou Qi, Xu Xin, and guard Li Tianrong from its latest training camp.

Joventut's full-court press early in the game unsettled China. However, Liao and Hu's efforts helped stabilize the team, allowing China to stay competitive through tough defense and fast breaks.

Joventut, meanwhile, played a patient, efficient game, frequently finding players cutting to the basket through quick ball movement. They scored 54 of their 70 points from two-pointers, shooting an impressive 67.5%.

The game remained tight until the last three and a half minutes, when Joventut capitalized on several turnovers by China, quickly stretching the lead to 10 points. Although China mounted a few late runs, they ultimately fell short, losing by five points.

Liao Sanning was a standout for China, showcasing his speed, ball-handling, and mid-range shooting. The 23-year-old played nearly the entire game, resting for just 16 seconds in the third quarter, despite China's crowded backcourt featuring Liao, Hu, Xu Jie, and Cheng Shuaipeng.

NBA prospect Yang Hansen also showed promise, adapting well to his role on the national team. The 2.18-meter center made key passes and anchored the team around the free-throw line. His three blocks, including one against Tomic in the final minutes, highlighted his development as a strong paint defender. However, the 19-year-old needs more involvement in the offense, as he only attempted four shots in 22 minutes.

Hu Mingxuan, the core of Guangdong Southern Tigers, displayed his vision with 11 assists, but struggled physically against the stronger European players.

China's head coach Guo Shiqiang commented that the four turnovers in the final minutes cost his team the game. "I tell my players often, the last minutes are just the start of the game. Whoever performs in the final moments wins," Guo said at the post-game press conference.

The former national team point guard also pointed out that free throws were an issue, as China only converted 16 of 26 attempts.

Guo emphasized that fast breaks are a key focus in the national team's training camp, adding that the coaching staff has set specific goals: shoot at least 70 times and score at least 80 points per game.

Joventut head coach Daniel Miret praised China's effort, describing the game as "tough" and noting that China's defense made it challenging. Miret, who coaches in both Liga ACB and EuroCup, believes inter-league friendlies are valuable for player development. "Different styles and speeds help young players grow. The diverse experiences not only make them better players but better people," he said.

The two teams will meet again in Xi'an on Sept 20 for the second match.