China Edges Puerto Rico 75-72 to Reach World Cup Quarterfinals
China’s women’s basketball team survived a tense finish to beat Puerto Rico 75-72 in Berlin on Wednesday, advancing to the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 and keeping its campaign alive as the tournament enters the knockout stage.
Star center Han Xu was named Player of the Game after scoring 21 points and pulling down 11 rebounds, including a decisive fourth-quarter burst that rescued China from a late Puerto Rico rally, according to Xinhua News.
A Narrow Escape
Playing in the quarterfinal qualification round on Sept. 9 local time, China controlled much of the first half but never fully shook off a determined Puerto Rico side. China led 41-40 at the break, and the two teams traded blows through a grinding third quarter in which scoring dried up on both ends.
The game turned in the final period. With the margin razor-thin, Han stepped up, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter on drives and perimeter shots, while Luo Xinyu drained a key three-pointer to give China breathing room. Puerto Rico clawed back to within two points before head coach Gong Luming called China’s only timeout of the game. Guard Yang Shuyu then calmly sank two free throws to seal the win, as detailed by Zhibo8.
Yang finished with a double-double of 15 points, 11 assists and two steals, while young center Zhang Ziyu added 13 points and Wang Siyu contributed seven points and five assists.
Puerto Rico was powered by San Antonio, who posted a game-high 24 points along with nine rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Stafford added 16 points and nine rebounds, and Grantes chipped in 14.
Han Xu Carries the Load
The result extended a pattern that has defined China’s tournament: a talented, frontcourt-heavy roster that relies heavily on Han’s individual brilliance to paper over inconsistent perimeter play. The WNBA-caliber center has been China’s most reliable scorer throughout the competition, and her fourth-quarter resurgence against Puerto Rico proved the difference.
Yang’s all-around performance was equally pivotal, with her 11 assists setting up teammates and her late free throws — and a deliberate miss on the final attempt to run out the clock — closing the door on Puerto Rico.
A Campaign Finding Its Footing
China arrived in Berlin as one of the tournament favorites and ranked among the world’s top teams, but its path through the group stage was far from smooth. China opened with an overtime win over the Czech Republic and followed it with a convincing 71-51 victory over Italy, a game coach Gong Luming later called the team’s best since preparations began.
Puerto Rico, ranked 13th, carried extra significance for the Chinese side: it was the only team China defeated at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Wednesday’s three-point margin underscored how competitive the field has become, and fan reaction after the game focused heavily on Han and Yang, with many calling the center the team’s “backbone” while questioning the coaching staff’s timeout management.
A Marquee Quarterfinal Awaits
China will face France in the quarterfinals — a showdown with the world’s No. 2-ranked team. Han struck a confident tone ahead of the matchup, telling reporters the team was unafraid of the challenge.
“We are not afraid of France,” she said. “We dare to compete with the world’s No. 2 team.”
The game is scheduled for the evening of Sept. 10 Beijing time. For China, the clash represents both a stern test and an opportunity: win, and the team moves within two victories of a World Cup final. Anything less, and a tournament that began with high expectations will end in disappointment.
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, the 20th edition of the event, runs from Sept. 4 to 13 in Berlin and features 16 national teams competing for the world title and a place at the LA28 Olympics.