China sweep three-game friendly series

BEIJING (2016 Rio Olympic Games) - China know from past experience that opposition at Olympic Games is fierce. The best way to get ready for Rio de Janeiro, coach Gong Luming believes, is therefore to take on the best teams available.

It's why China will on Tuesday travel to Italy for friendly games, then return to the Far East to host the Stankovic Cup and also travel to America to take on the United States at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on 24 July.

"We are not afraid to lose these games," Luming said to Xinhua.com. "We need to find strong opponents to challenge ourselves."

China had intended to take on a tough Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MKD) side over the weekend, but the European team had to withdraw a few days before. Instead, a group of American players was formed to make a team and China beat them in three games.

One of the contests that has given Luming much to think about was the second one that was played on Friday in Jiaozuo. The hometown favorite, forward Li Gen, led the team to victory. Li, a 27-year-old forward from the city, had 21 points in an 83-80 win.

"Tonight is the first time my grandma sat in the stands to watch me play. It's a brilliant experience. I feel so happy," said the Xinjiang Flying Tigers star. His remarks were carried by newsthrive.com. "I handed out hundreds of tickets to my friends and relatives in Jiaozuo."

China had won the first game against the Americans, 81-77, and they completed a three-game sweep with an 84-75 triumph in Luoyang on Sunday.

Yi Jianlian led all scorers with 23 points in Game 3. His performance might have reminded the fans of his heroics last summer, when he was the Most Valuable Player of the FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha-Hunan, a tournament China won to clinch a spot in Rio de Janeiro.

FIBA