Day 3, Round 2 - Group F: China - Qatar

[judasmartel]

Winner of this game tops the group and will face the #4 seed in Group E, most likely India; while the loser of this game will face the #3 seed in Group E, possibly Japan.

Looking to top the group is great, but it runs the risk of meeting Iran in the semis. Rumor has it that China will try to tank in this game to do just that, but it is VERY highly unlikely. Considering that they're playing from their home crowd, it would be an insult to their fans if they did. Besides, if they're good, they can beat any team anytime. But if they lose here, they lose but they avoid meeting Iran in the semis, plain and simple.

[bballcrazy]

Surprise, Qatar is tanking

[judasmartel]

Surprise, Qatar is tanking

That, or they just don't stand a chance.

[bballcrazy]

That, or they just don't stand a chance.

Obvious tank, they didn't even play their stars.

[bballcrazy]

But then again facing Philippines in the semis is also as dangerous if not more than Iran as gilas is peaking at the right time. So really I don't see a valid reason for tanking (Maybe to rest their star players?)

[bballcrazy]

I see the strategy in China choosing to be in group C at the start of the tournament. It looks suicidal at first, with all the top teams grouped there. But they are really good and know they can beat most of the teams easily. They want to win the lone spot at Rio or at least qualify for the qualifying tournaments (2 to 4th spot). They need to at least get past the quarterfinals and facing a team like India is much much better than facing Lebanon/ Sokor etc. It really reduces the risk of them playing very well throughout the group stages only to have a freak loss to a stronger team in the quarterfinals.

[judasmartel]

I see the strategy in China choosing to be in group C at the start of the tournament. It looks suicidal at first, with all the top teams grouped there. But they are really good and know they can beat most of the teams easily. They want to win the lone spot at Rio or at least qualify for the qualifying tournaments (2 to 4th spot). They need to at least get past the quarterfinals and facing a team like India is much much better than facing Lebanon/ Sokor etc. It really reduces the risk of them playing very well throughout the group stages only to have a freak loss to a stronger team in the quarterfinals.

So I guess it's Qatar tanking instead of China, huh? In fairness, Qatar is doing a good job.

[Rico101]

I think both teams are tanking

[judasmartel]

I think both teams are tanking

We will find out soon enough. 44-33 China at half time.

[bballcrazy]

So I guess it's Qatar tanking instead of China, huh? In fairness, Qatar is doing a good job.

It could be a tactic to rest their star players maybe. Gregg Popovich rested the Spurs stars before the playoffs, could be same with Qatar.

[emalBlame]

Philippines should teach these tanking teams some lessons

[judasmartel]

Philippines should teach this tanking teams some lessons

Definitely. Reminds me of Preldzic doing a Turkey on Australia's ass in the Worlds.

[emalBlame]

China 63 - 45 Qatar. Yi with the monstrous dunk

[FatFingerz]

Hoping for a Japan win against Qatar in QF to make the latter regret this tanking.

[judasmartel]

Hoping for a Japan win against Qatar in QF to make the latter regret this tanking.

Japan doing a Turkey on Qatar, but Japan will play us seriously if we meet them in the semis.