Photo: Weibo

Having defeated New Zealand 98-84 in the semifinals for the FIBA Asia Cup on Saturday evening, China, the most decorated team in the tournament history with 16 titles, returned to the championship stage for the first time since 2015, which was also the last time they won the Asia Cup.

Ode to the Motherland were chanted again on Saturday night at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, just like in 2015 during the Asia Championship held in Central China's Hunan Province.

Five Chinese players scored in double digits for the victory on Saturday, with captain Zhao Rui tallying a game-high 24 points and five three-pointers. Newcomer Wang Junjie added 14. Star center Hu Jinqiu contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.

China shot 46.2 percent from beyond the arc and out-rebounded New Zealand 36-27.

"It is our first time in the final in 10 years," coach Guo Shiqiang told FIBA's official website on Saturday. "We represent the nation to showcase Chinese basketball spirit, and as everyone knows, we are trying to help the national team rise again."



Led by Coach Guo, Team China is facing the reality, striving to catch up with the world trend, and is delivering the fastest-paced game and best offense in the history of Chinese men's basketball team, Su Qun, a renowned Chinese basketball commentator told the Global Times on Sunday.

Zhao Rui, Wang Junjie, and Hu Jinqiu all received perfect 10 ratings on the Hupu.com, one of China's most active basketball fan platforms.

Searches related to "Chinese men's basketball team reaching the Asia Cup finals" ranked second place on livestreaming platform Douyin as of Sunday morning, with more than 70 million viewers joining the discussion.

The spirit of Team China - defined by teamwork, perseverance and never-give-up attitude - extended beyond Saturday's victory and touched fans across the Taiwan Straits.

Many residents from Taiwan island have posted in the comment section of the news, inspired by Team China's performance.

In a comment written in traditional Chinese under a game recap video on YouTube, a netizen from Taiwan island left comment that "The motherland is strong, the entire Chinese nation's lineup, without using a single naturalized player, being able to defeat New Zealand truly stirs up national pride. Watching the live broadcast, the team's tenacious defense seemed to reflect the OKC Thunder team. Hope they give their all in the next match too!" The comment had received more than 200 thumbs-up as of press time.

"If they on the other side of the Straits could keep up the line-up, they can go for top 8 around the world," wrote another netizen from Taiwan.

"This is Team China's 18th run in the finals and they have claimed 16 championship titles in the previous 17 attempts. They are genuinely the glory of Asia," wrote a Taiwan netizens. 

All Chinese local players with bran-new game strategies, marked by ferocious cut-throughs, intensified defense, defeated the strong team of New Zealand. A big thumb up for Team China, another netizen on the island wrote.

"Compatriot from Taiwan wishes the national men's basketball team victory over Australia to win the championship," an island basketball fan wrote. 

Regardless of the final result, this match was one of the Chinese team's most representative performances in recent years, showcasing morale, team spirit, strategy, and solid technical execution, another fan from Taiwan island wrote.

Next, China will face Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, with both powerhouses undefeated in this year's tournament.