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Yao rebukes: eight men play against we five!

By Roy Wang (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-08-22 17:17

"They eight guys (including three referees) played against we five, how could we win the game, I have nothing to say now!" Team China's big man Yao Ming said after losing to Puerto Rico 87-90 in overtime in a Group D game at the first round of the FIBA World Championship 2006 at Sapporo, Japan August 22.

China's Yao Ming reacts to their loss to Puerto Rico in the first round of the world basketball championships in Sapporo August 22, 2006. [Reuters]

Yao fouled out after being called at the 4th quarter, which made Team China get into a hobble in the remaining time. China's another ex-NBA player Wang Zhizhi was also whistled out before Yao.

When some journalists tried to cover Yao, Yao angrily rebuked:" You guys should ask the referees, they must have more to say! I have nothing to say, they have eight players!"

After the game, Team China has suffered three-straight loss at the World Championship, although NBA's superstar Yao of China got the highest 29 in this game and climbed to the top of the Worlds' Score Ranking with a total score of 80.

China, which lost previously to Italy and the Team USA, two of the strongest teams in the group, now has to beat Senegal and Slovenia in its remaining preliminary games to have any chance of advancing to the second round.