In a thrilling semifinal showdown at the FIBA Womens Asia Cup in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on the Chinese mainland, Japan shocked defending champions the Chinese mainland side with a 90-81 victory. The win secures Japan a spot in the title game against powerhouse Australia.
Japan's young star, 19-year-old Kokoro Tanaka, exploded for a game-high 27 points, connecting on 10 of 16 shots and leading an up-tempo offense that sank 16 three-pointers. Veteran guard Yuki Miyazawa added 18 points, while Norika Konno chipped in 14 to keep the pressure on the hosts.
The Chinese mainland side rallied behind guard Yang Shuyu's 19 points and center Han Xu's 18, with Zhang Ziyu contributing 17. After a shaky start that saw five turnovers in the first quarter, China recovered to lead 51-49 at halftime, thanks to Zhang's eight straight points in the second period.
However, Japan surged in the third quarter, hitting five triples to build a nine-point lead. Despite Coach Gong Luming rotating Han and Zhang for spark, the hosts couldn't regain rhythm. Tanaka's fast-break attacks and timely perimeter shooting sealed the upset and set the stage for an epic final showdown.
Next up, Japan will face Australia in the championship game, bringing a fresh twist to the FIBA Womens Asia Cup and highlighting a new generation of talent on the world stage.
Reference(s):
Japan shock titleholders China to reach FIBA Women's Asia Cup final
cgtn.com
