At the FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province on the Chinese mainland, Japan and Australia booked impressive Group B victories to keep their title hopes alive.
Japan edged the Philippines 85-82 after building an early lead and holding off a late surge. They put up 31 points in the first quarter, led by Maki Takada, who drained five of her six three-point attempts for a team-high 20 points.
The game seemed sealed when Miwa Kuribayashi's layup early in the fourth pushed Japan ahead by 22 points at 81-59. But the Philippines rallied, outscoring Japan 25-8 behind Jack Animam's 24 points and a last-second triple by Vanessa De Jesus, cutting the gap to three before time expired.
In the other Group B matchup, Australia dominated Lebanon 113-84, with eight different players scoring in double digits. Their depth and balance shone through, setting the stage for a blockbuster clash with Japan tomorrow.
Japan and Australia will collide in what promises to be a high-octane showdown on Tuesday, as both teams aim to top the group and gain momentum heading into the knockout rounds.
Which team has the edge? Share your predictions in the comments below.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
