Bengaluru: Eleven-time FIBA Asia Women’s Cup winners China were an inspired force in their 117-43 drubbing of the Philippines, buoyed by the august presence of basketball legend Yao Ming, who watched from the sidelines at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium on Thursday.
The former Houston Rockets icon touched down in the city on Thursday in his capacity as President of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), a role he has undertaken earlier this year in February, breaking the hegemony of government bureaucrats that have led the association until now.
The 7”6’ Nashville Hall of Famer would have undoubtedly been pleased with what he saw from the Red Dragons, as they secured passage into next year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup in Spain.
As one of China’s most celebrated sporting personalities, Ming will hope that the emergence of talents like 18-year-old Yueru Li in the competition will further enhance the profile of China’s grassroots system, as the team vies for an unprecedented 12th Asian title.
