Alot of people are upset on the poor officiating from yesterday’s China-Puerto Rico matchup where Yao fouled out with 4:40 remaining on a controversial call, leading to China’s defeat.

I loved Yao’s line after the game: “I have nothing to say because we were playing five against eight (referring to three officials).”

This loss especially hurts since China had an 11-point lead with 8:40 remaining in the game. China is now 0-3 in tournament play, needs to win its final two games, and needs help from other teams in order to advance to the next round.

Click here and here for two separate articles written about the game.

For Raymond’s analysis on the officiating and photos from the game, click here.

Yao reacts after scoring two of his 29 points against Puerto Rico on Tuesday. Yao shot 60% from the floor, grabbed 8 boards and blocked two shots, but the Chinese lost a heartbreaker 90-87 in OT. Yao fouled out late in the fourth quarter, and that was probably the difference in this game. The Chinese are now 0-3 and have to win their final two games (vs. Senegal and Slovenia) in order to have a chance to advance to the next round in the World Championships in Japan. Click here for more photos from the game. Click here for a story on the game.

What a disappointment for fans of the Chinese national team. The CNT had a chance to steal a victory from Puerto Rico, but Yao’s fouling out with just a few minutes remaining in the game really hurt. I didn’t see the game, but Raymond in China saw it, and he thought some of the calls were very questionable.

Oh well, at least Yao put his head to good use, which resulted in Puerto Rico center Peter Ramos applying a head butt on Yao. Click here to see the photos and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

I remember seeing Ramos at the Vegas Summer League last month, and that boy is one big dude. Probably 7’4,” only an inch or two shorter than Yao. He’s probably one of only a couple of guys who could head-butt Yao. Shaq probably couldn’t even do that!

Here is a good article on Malick Badiane, the Rockets 2003 second round draft pick from Senegal, who the Chinese play on Wednesday. I always have wondered how he’s progressing. Looks like he’s coming along nicely. Let’s hope he makes the Rockets in the next year or two and proves Houston can have some draft picks from the past few years stick around for awhile — other than Yao and Luther Head.