Korea lose to China, fail to lock in Asia Cup semifinals spot

Korea's Park Ji-su shoots during a FIBA Asia Cup Group A game against China at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre in Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday. [EPA/YONHAP]

The Korean women’s basketball team lost their last Asia Cup group stage game 87-81 to China at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre in Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday, leaving themselves a chance to reach the semifinals through a victory against Australia in a playoff round on Friday.

Having recorded one win and one loss in Group A, Korea needed to beat China in order to lock in a place in the semifinals, but they failed to do so after taking the game all the way to overtime.

Korea were off to a smooth start, grabbing the first quarter 21-12, but China bounced back and took the score to 38-32 in the second quarter, before making it 54-53 in the third quarter.

Korea attempted to maintain the narrow lead but ended the fourth quarter at 72-72, forcing overtime. Their defense fell apart in overtime, allowing China to turn things around and win the game 87-81.

China topped Group A and reached the semifinals with the victory over Korea, while third-place Korea now have to beat Group B runners-up Australia in a playoff round on Friday to decide the semifinalists.

The Asia Cup rules stipulate that the two first-placed teams from Group A and B, determined by a round-robin format, will directly advance to the semifinals, while the second will play third-placed teams in a playoff round to decide the two other semifinalists.

A knockout system will then be used in the semifinal and final games.

Group B includes defending champion Japan, Chinese Taipei, Australia and the Philippines.

Japan advanced to the semifinals as group B winners.

The teams that finish in the top four of the Asia Cup — an eight-team tournament — will be eligible to participate in the Olympic qualifiers.

Korea’s game against host nation Australia starts on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the same venue as Wednesday’s game.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]