Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi teamed up for the first time in five years, but failed to save China from an 88-78 lose to Brazil on Sunday at the Stankovic Cup in Nanjing.

Yao Ming, left, and Wang Zhizhi during the match between China and Brazil in Nanjing August 13, 2006.[Xinhua]

China finished third in the group B and has to face Australia for the 5th placing at the continental champions competition.

France was upset by Australia 77-71 in group A and gave the final berth to European champion Greece.

Greece tied with France and Australia with three points each but advanced on point difference. Greece will face group B winner Germany in the championship match on Tuesday at Kunshan.

The Houston Rockets' center Yao, who had foot surgery this summer, played with Wang in the national team before Wang joined the Dallas Mavericks as the first Asian player to join the National Basketball Association in 2001.

Wang injured his right knee in a warm-up trip in Europe last month, failing to team up with Yao after Yao came back on Aug. 1.

The pair shared the court 47 seconds into the second quarter, forcing Brazil to miss three straight shots and committing four fouls in over three minutes.

Yao-Wang did not make big change to the score board, but kept China into the game when Brazil leading 44-38 before the break.

A 16-2 run in the third quarter put Brazil on the top for good when the South Americans won the quarter 31-13.

Yao and Wang were both on the court for another brief spell, but China let loose the match for poor defence.

China reinforce the defence in the closing minutes as it suffocated Brazil for three minutes and ran for 14 straight points to make it 86-76 with 1:40 minutes to go.

Anderson Varejao had the first basket on the eighth attempt in the last minute for Brazil.

"Yao gives much space for the outside shooters. But we still had problem to pass the ball inside to his hand," Wang said.

"I'm glad we finished the game in a good spirit. We will strengthen our defence to make better games at the world championships," he added.

Foward Yi Jianlian led China with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Yao had 16 and six.

Lenadro Mateus Barbosa had 20 points for Brazil, while Varejao had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Last-year's NBA No.1 pick Andrew Bogut scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Australia for the only victory of the competition.

San Antonio Spurs' point guard Tony Parker had game-high 22 points for France, but Phoenix Suns' forward Boris Diaw had only three rebounds to finish scoreless.

The World Championships will start on Aug. 19 in Japan. All the six teams in the competition will compete in the championships.