China

China in easy group at Asian men's basketball championship

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-07-06 22:57

WUHAN - China was given an easy group and would avoid meeting defending champions Iran or arch-rivals South Korea before the elimination rounds at the Asian men's basketball championship as the draw was concluded here on Wednesday.

China were pitted against the Philippines, Barhrain, and the United Arab Emirates in Group D, while Iran are in Group B and South Korea in Group A.

According to the competition rules, the hosts would not encounter either Iran or South Korea until the quarterfinals.

A total of 16 teams, two of which are yet to be decided, will be taking part at the September 15-25 tournament in Wuhan, the capital city of central China's Hubei Province.

Four teams will be eliminated in each phase of the preliminary round, with the last eight heading to the quarterfinals.

Only the winners of the tournament could qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games, while the runners-up and bronze-medal winners have to enter a qualifying tournament with teams of other continents.

Following are the drawing of the Asian Championships:

Group A: South Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, team I of Central Asia

Group B: Iran, Qatar, Chinese Taipei, team II of Central Asia

Group C: Japan, Indonesia, Syria, Jordan

Group D: China, the Philippines, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates