Hot of the Angola Press Newswire !!!!! http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=360065 Basketball/Stankovic Cup: Angola Debuts Against China Today Luanda, July 26 - Angola`s national basketball team plays tonight against China led by the "gigantic" Yao Ming of NBA`s Houston Rockets, in an encounter which closes the inaugural round of the first edition of the Stankovic Cup, being held from 26 to 31 July in Beijing. This continental champions Cup will serve as Angola`s preparation aiming for the African championships, to be held in Algiers from 15 to 24 August, with the aim of retaining the continental title. Angola foresees a very difficult match, mainly due to height difference between base players from both teams, since China has three bases who are over 2,10 metres. In order to overcome the height disadvantage, coach Mário Palma has Abdel Boukar with 2,04 m, Victor Muzadi (2,01 m) and Joaquim Gomes "Kikas" with 2,00 m. Meawhile, this is the easiest opponent for the African Champions, considering that the rest are among the 10 best teams in the world, according to FIBA`s rankings. The opening round starts with encounters between Puerto Rico vs Lituânia and Argentina vs Australia. The competition will be played in a system of all against all in one round, the winner shall be the team with most points. The champions will be awarded USD 100.000, USD 50.000 for the runners up and USD 25.000 for the third placed. The competition will also choose its MVP, and the best in rebounds, steals, assistance, three points shooter, as well as the best scorer.
I will be really disappointed if Yao was forced to play that stupid cup while he was still not recovering from his ankel surgery.
