Asian Games 2023: Philippines Beat China in SF (and lately won 1st AG gold since 1962!)

[durden_tyler]

Asian Games gold medal match: NO CHINA despite home court (cooking) advantage!

Jordan (led by RHJ) vs the Philippines for the Asian Games 5x5 basketball championship

China choked away a 22 pt lead, 18 pt lead at half time and around 7 pt lead with 2 minutes to go.

This is special for us since the Chinese have dominated this scene the last 30+ years!

*Jordan beat the Philippines in the group stages and they should be considered favorites; i don't personally care about the gold medal match, booting out China is already enough

[THE J0KER]

It is always sensational to turn over -18 at halftime or -7 in the last two minutes but to be fair, the Philippines were clear favorites to win this game with an individually arguably stronger lineup (China's biggest *star* is literally their coach Djordjevic and home crowd, they have no more NBA talents not even close). I'm glad so fast after such a big World Cup disappointment basketball (National Team) was the bounce-back again in the Philippines!

I know that ex-NBA Rondae Hollis-Jefferson playing for Jordan, but I'm still confused about how a team without a single AG medal from the past managed to reach the final by winning every game 20+, so no surprise if they grab the title tomorrow.

[JazzP]

It is always sensational to turn over -18 at halftime or -7 in the last two minutes but to be fair, the Philippines were clear favorites to win this game with an individually arguably stronger lineup (China's biggest *star* is literally their coach Djordjevic and home crowd, they have no more NBA talents not even close). I'm glad so fast after such a big World Cup disappointment basketball (National Team) was the bounce-back again in the Philippines!

I know that ex-NBA Rondae Hollis-Jefferson playing for Jordan, but I'm still confused about how a team without a single AG medal from the past managed to reach the final by winning every game 20+, so no surprise if they grab the title tomorrow.

I agree that it doesn't seem like anyone on China's team is all that close to NBA level, but I do think China actually has a rather potent NBA prospect in Hansen Yang right now. Although he still has quite a ways to go in development himself.

[THE J0KER]

The Philippines won their first AG gold since 1962, which is an even bigger success considering they played in the final vs Jordan without Jordan (Clarkson). Congrats!