In a thrilling start to the Asian Qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, fans from Mumbai to Manila were glued to their screens as the Republic of Korea (ROK) stunned China with back-to-back wins. Just three days after eking out an 80-76 nail-biter in Beijing, ROK turned up the heat again in front of their home crowd in Wonju on Monday. 🔥🏀
Beijing vs. Wonju: From Nail-biter to Blowout
The first game was all about last-second heroics, but the rematch was a different story. ROK raced to a 28-13 lead in the opening quarter—think of that explosive start like Diwali fireworks lighting up the court. By halftime it was 52-29, and China never recovered.
China’s Rally and Key Players
After the break, Cheng Shuaipeng injected life into China’s offense, finishing with a team-high 19 points before an injury cut his afternoon short. Veteran center Zhou Qi chipped in with a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double, but the deficit proved too big to bridge.
ROK’s Stars Shine
Lee Jung-hyun led all scorers with 24 points, while Lee Hyun-jung added 20—on the heels of his 33-point explosion in Beijing. Their dynamic backcourt play and clutch shooting gave ROK a major confidence boost. 🚀
Looking Ahead
With a perfect 2-0 start in Group B, ROK has the psychological edge as qualifiers continue. China will regroup and aim for redemption in their next matchup. For young fans juggling work, studies, and FOMO, these games are the perfect halftime thrill—streamable on your phone and impossible to pause. 😉
Stay tuned for more hoops action and join the conversation with #FIBA2027 #ROKwins #BasketballFever
Reference(s):
ROK tops China for back-to-back victories in FIBA World Cup Qualifying
cgtn.com
