Zhou Qi stars as China edges Japan anew in FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers

Former NBA player Zhou Qi helped lead a fourth quarter rally as China took a 90-84 win over Japan in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers on Saturday at the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Gym in Pampanga.

Zhou, who played several games for the Houston Rockets, turned in a strong performance, posting 18 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks to lead China.

He scored six of those points as part of a 15-1 run that overturned a seven-point lead for Japan, 80-73. That run was capped by a Zhao Yanhao three-pointer that made it 88-81 for China with 1:06 remaining seconds remaining.

According to reports, Zhou was dealing with discomfort in his eye and underwent treatment prior to flying out to the Philippines for the competition.

Four other Chinese players scored in double figures in the game.

Japan was led by Yuki Togashi, who scored 17 points, and Ryan Rossiter, who chipped in with 15 points and six assists.

The two teams also played each other last Wednesday, which China also won, 66-57.

The teams are playing Group B of the qualifiers, where China leads with a 3-0 record.

The scores:

China (90) - Zhou Q 18, Shen 13, Zhao J 13, Ren 12, Hu 10, Zhang 8, Zhao Y 5, Zhou P 5, Wu 4, Xu 2, Lu 0.

Japan (84) Togashi 17, Rossiter 15, Kanamaru 12, Hiejima 10, Tanaka 9, Schafer 7, Tsuji 6, Ando 3, Harimoto 3, Takeuchi 2, Shinoyama 0.

Quarterscores: 21-29, 41-45, 65-69, 90-84.

—JMB, GMA News