AMMAN (Jordan) - Japan are headed to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 Quarter-Finals following an 85-61 conquest of the Philippines, Friday at the Prince Hamza Hall.
The 2022 runners-up took control in the second period before breaking away in the third as they kept the golden dream alive after a heartbreaking loss to China last Wednesday that kept them from sweeping its way to the Play-Offs' first round.
With the win, the AKATSUKI JAPAN have forged a showdown with the unbeaten Australia, a team looking to win back the title they won in 2018 - the same year that both the proud programs last met, when they battled in the Quarters as well.
Game heroes: Leon Watanabe led the way with 15 points and 6 rebounds as he sparked the third-quarter pullaway that put them ahead all the way to the end.
Riku Segawa had 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists while Teruchika Naito chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds, alongside 4 assists and 3 steals.
Turning point: Gilas threatened when it came to within just six, 53-47, with about four minutes left in the third behind a run by Louis Perez and Johnkurl Figeruoa.
But then, that's when Watanabe came in. He scored six in their 11-3 response to finish the quarter with Japan ahead, 64-50, and the game would never be in doubt.
Stats don't lie: Japan outrebounded the SEABA Qualifiers winners, 43-30, 18 of which they collected from the offensive end. They scored 16 off those second chances, as they took advantage of their edge size-wise.
FIBA