China have won the 2015 FIBA Asia championships by beating a proud Philippines side 78-67 in Changsha-Hunan

It’s a 16th continental crown for a young China side, who advance to next year’s Rio Olympics, but it was the veteran head of Yi Jianlian that steered the Chinese to victory in this tournament, as he was rightfully awarded the tournament’s MVP award.

Yi, who ended the tournament with an average of 16.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 blocks, while shooting 52.9 percent from the field had with 11 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks but on this day, was upstaged by 19-year-old sensation Zhou Qi who led the winners with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Despite being severely undersized, Philippines showed great determination and as a reward, will compete at next year’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament along with bronze medallists Iran and Japan.

The game though had its controversies as Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Manuel V. Pangilinan accused the host country of deliberately sabotaging his nation’s chances of winning.

Pengilinan ranted on his Twitter account that the  electric bus that was used to bring the Philippine squad to game venue was delayed cause it failed to charge, which will give them less time to warm up before the game.

Photo: FIBA