Yao squawks as China falters

Yao squawks as China falters
Center cries foul after early exit from loss to Puerto Rico


By FRAN BLINEBURY
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

SAPPORO, JAPAN - It may not be constructed of stone and mortar like the Great Wall, but the obstacle China now faces to advance in the World Basketball Championship is just as daunting.

After blowing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter and seeing Yao Ming foul out for the second consecutive game, China lost 90-87 in overtime to Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

Yao once again did his part, scoring 29 points, grabbing eight rebounds and blocking two shots to lead China. But his teammates appear directionless and timid when he is not on the floor, and Yao is getting increasingly frustrated by the fouls called against him.

"Eight against five! That's it!" Yao barked in anger about the officiating as he stormed off the court and into the locker room.

China is 0-3 in the tournament and must win its last two preliminary games against Senegal and Slovenia to even have a remote chance of reaching the elimination round.

"I think we still have a chance," said China coach Jonas Kazlaukas. "It will be really difficult, but why not?"

China will have to quickly find a way to overcome a penchant for defensive lapses that allow its opponents to score quickly and wipe out leads that have been built over the course of the game.

Yao's fifth foul came on a questionable call with 4:40 left in the fourth quarter with China clinging to a 71-69 lead. In the second period, after a scramble for a rebound on the offensive glass, he turned and exchanged angry words with Puerto Rico center Peter Ramos. The pair of big men moved nose-to-nose and exchanged glares. Then, Ramos clearly head-butted Yao.

"Peter is a young player who is still learning the game, and sometimes he gets emotional," said veteran Puerto Rico center Daniel Santiago. "Sometimes those things happen. Yao was making great plays, and I guess Peter got emotional."

For the Rockets, who were at least a little bit apprehensive about seeing their 7-6 center play for China just four months after having surgery to repair a broken bone in his left foot, Yao's offensive performance at the World Championship has allayed fears.

Yao is moving well in the paint. He is driving the baseline nimbly to make reverse layups and throw down impressive dunks. And he is stepping out to knock in jumpers from the foul line. He has not shied away from contact and on a number of occasions has fallen to the floor and popped right back up without incident.

After missing almost all of the practice time with the national team before this competition, Yao has quickly taken on the mantle of leadership, exhorting his teammates and showing more outward signs of emotion than usual.

He simply cannot do everything for Team China. After he fouled out, the Chinese managed just one field goal in the final 4:40 of regulation. Twice in the final 30 seconds, China did not secure defensive rebounds that could have given it a chance to take the lead or clinch the win.

"I don't think we changed the way we played with Yao out of the game," said Elias Ayuso, Puerto Rico's leading scorer with 27 points. "I just think we took advantage of the opportunities to go to the basket, knowing that he wasn't in the paint to block shots."

 

Are you sure? I can't find the article using your link. If you are right, I have to apologize for double posting the article. If not, I'm............ Oh, never mind.