China rout arch rivals S.Korea in semifinals
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-09-16 09:50

DOHA, Qatar, September 16 (Xinhua) -- Houston Rockets center Yao Ming had 27 points and 15 rebounds to give China the biggest-margin win in the history over South Korea by 93-49 on Thursday in the semi-finals of the men's Asian Basketball Championships here.

The 2.26-meter pivot also had three assists and two blocks when he shot 10-out-of-17 in the field to set up a final against Lebanon, who disposed off the hostage Qatar 83-79 in earlier game.

South Korea, who was tagged as the best-shooting team in Asia, was only 5-out-of-18 on 3-pointers, and was held to only two points in the third quarter.

Power forward Du Feng, who had 14 points, was perfect on shooting in the field, including three 3-pointers when China shot 8-out-of-20 from behind the arc.

Veteran center Seo Jang Hoon buried two 3-pointers to open the game and built up a 24-17 lead for the Koreans in the first quarter.

Coming back with strong defence in the second quarter, China took the lead with Yao's layup to make it 28-27 and ran to a 48-33 lead to call the breaker.

The Koreans did not make a shot until Choo Seung Gyun's jumper stopped the scoring drought when China had put the game beyond doubt at 71-35 with 2:15 to go in the third quarter.