POLAND frustrated host China, 79-76, in overtime on Monday night at the LeSports Center to advance to the second round of the Fiba World Cup.
Shooting guard Mateusz Ponitka spearheaded the attack with 25 points, nine boards, and three assists, while court general AJ Slaughter chipped in 22 points, four assists, and two rebounds for the Polish cagers who stayed unbeaten in two games.
NBA veteran Yi Jianlian showed the way for the hosts with 24 points, eight rebounds, and one assist in a losing cause for China, which dropped to 1-1 in a tie with Venezuela in Group A.
China and Venezuela battle for the second group ticket on Wednesday.
Poland erased an early 10-point deficit with a 24-10 second period before both countries engaged in a see-saw affair on the way to being tied at 72 at regulation, dragging the game to an extra session.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
