The game of games for China and Japan

WUHAN (2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship) - On the final day of the 2015 FIBA Asia Women’s Championship, the game of games will be played between the competition's undisputed top two teams - defending champions Japan and hosts China.

Japan were able to advance to the Final after surviving Chinese Taipei, 65-58, while China beat last edition's finalists Korea in the other Semi-Final, 60-45.

In their first meeting a few days ago, Japan were able to defeat China, but only by the skin of their teeth, 57-56.

In that game, Asami Yoshida came up huge, hitting the winning shot to frustrate the hosts, who are hoping to unseat the Japanese from their throne.

Ramu Tokashiki came to play in that game, going for 19 points and grabbing 9 rebounds to lead the Japanese charge.

Things are bound to be just as exciting and nail-biting in the Final, where both teams are coming in toting the best records of the tournament. Japan have won all six of their games so far, while China’s lone loss was the aforementioned heart-breaker against the Japanese five.

Coach Tomohide Utsumi is expected to, once again, count on the inside-outside combo of Tokashiki and Yoshida to spearhead his team’s championship push. They should get ample support from the likes of Sanae Motokawa, Rui Machida, and Maki Takada.

On the other end, China will bank on its size and shooting. Gao Song is expected to be their best frontline player, while Chen Xiaojia and Shao Ting should prop up their backcourt. Huang Hongpin has been a revelation also, and she should give their foes a lot of headaches in the shaded lane.

Coach Tom Maher is expected to make a few adjustments heading into this game. Perhaps they will try to crowd both Tokashiki and Yoshida to minimise their effectiveness, while also trying to maximise their size advantage in the rebounding department. China outworked Japan on the boards, 51-46, in their previous encounter, and the hosts would surely love a repeat of that here.

Japan, meanwhile, need their shooters to get going if they are to stand a strong chance of successfully defending their crown. They went 1-of-14 from three-point land against China in their narrow win earlier in the tourney, and that won't cut it in the Final. Players like Mika Kurihara, Chinatsu Yamamoto, and Sanae Motokawa have to find their range lest they get ambushed by the Chinese.

There's no better way to end this memorable tournament than with a clash of the two best teams to be crowned the Queens of Asian basketball. Let's get it on.

FIBA