SHENZHEN (China) - Japan withstood a late-game uprising by Chinese Taipei, 76-70, in a battle of familiar foes to complete the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2024 Semi-Finals picture, Friday night at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Center.
Kokoro Tanaka led the way with 24 points on 5 3-pointers, the last one from the left corner with exactly 18.0 seconds left to play undeniably the most important as it pushed their lead to 75-68 - and proved to be the dagger that thwarted their foes.
The Japanese badly needed that to save themselves after seeing their 72-58 lead become just four with 28.0 seconds remaining after a 10-0 Chinese Taipei run.
Following that display of character, AKATSUKI JAPAN have forged a Semis duel with the repeat-seeking Australia. The other bracket, meanwhile, will see the tournament's winningest team in China take on Korea. Games are on Saturday, June 29.
All four programs will represent the continent in the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 in Czech Republic. Australia, China, and Japan were also part of the Asian ensemble in the previous edition of the global meet held in 2023.
Game heroes: Sakura Horiuchi contributed 12 points for Japan, who bagged the bronze medal back in the 2022 meet by beating, coincidentally, Chinese Taipei.
Riona Matsumoto continued to deliver commendably for Coach Natsumi Yabuuchi as she finished with 11 points, spiked by a pair of treys, and 5 rebounds.
Stats don't lie: Japan managed to pull off the win despite shooting only 32.9-percent from the floor, plus the fact they lost the rebounding battle, 48-50, against a Chinese Taipei side that was raring to get back on them after what happened in 2022.
For starters, Chinese Taipei lost both of their assignments to the Japanese, including the Third-Place Game. Thus, the hunger for payback as they crossed paths again.
FIBA