Amid the clamor of anticipation, the Fenghuangshan Sports Park Gymnasium in Chengdu was buzzing with excitement as Team China squared off against Chinese Taipei in the women’s basketball semifinal of the 31st FISU World University Games. The vast venue, with a seating capacity of 18,000, was packed to the brim with fervent basketball enthusiasts, all eager to witness the pulsating action unfold.
In the initial moments of the game, Team China set the tone by netting three consecutive two-pointers. Chinese Taipei, sensing the mounting pressure, called an urgent timeout, regrouped, and managed to put points on the board with a two-pointer followed by a three-pointer. However, by the time the halftime buzzer rang, China had secured a lead, with the score at 43:35.
One of Team China’s most pronounced strengths on the basketball court is their formidable interior presence, anchored by their towering centers, Han Xu and Liu Yutong. The FISU’s athlete registration records show Han’s impressive stature at 2.08 meters and 89 kilograms, while Liu stands at 2.01 meters, weighing in at 110 kilograms. In stark contrast, Chinese Taipei’s starting center, Lin Tieh, measures up at 1.80 meters and tips the scales at 68 kilograms.
Han Xu, who has made her mark in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) playing for the New York Liberty, was particularly instrumental in the match, racking up a total of 22 points. Reflecting on the game, Peng Hsiao-tong from the Chinese Taipei team expressed a desire to regularly compete against taller teams, believing it would help uncover their own strengths and refine their strategies.
Liu Yutong, who contributed 11 points to China’s victory, acknowledged the resemblance between the playing styles of the Japanese team and Chinese Taipei. She emphasized the importance of introspection and learning from the semifinal game, ensuring they’re prepared for the high-stakes final against Japan.
Meanwhile, in the men’s basketball tournament, the Chinese men’s team experienced a setback earlier in the week, losing to the Chinese Taipei men’s squad with a final score of 84-97. Despite taking an early lead, Team China couldn’t sustain their momentum and faced their third consecutive defeat. Their journey took another hit as both teams were denied a spot in the top eight, given their earlier losses to Lithuania and Brazil. However, Team China is gearing up for their placement matches against Japan.
The sportsmanship and competitive spirit on display were not lost on the audience. Chinese Taipei player, Yu Ai-che, couldn’t help but commend the enthusiastic Chengdu spectators. The game’s atmosphere was electrifying, with the crowd showering applause and cheers on both teams, celebrating each point scored and every commendable defensive maneuver.
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