TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Philippines staged a superb third quarter rally that left fancied last edition’s quarterfinalists Japan bemused and posted a 78-69 win in a pivotal Group A game on Friday.Philippines, with two wins from as many games, now take on last edition’s bronze medalists Korea on Saturday in a game that will decide the toppers of this Group.
Gunther Thoss sparked the Filipino rally scoring 11 of his 15 points for the game in the second half.
Pauliasi Taulava scored all his 11 points in the second half – nine of them in the final quarter – to strengthen Thoss’ efforts.
Having trailed Japan for most of the game, Philippines took charge of the proceedings late in the third quarter with Jared Dillinger giving them a marginal lead.
Japan hit back immediately and Shunsuke Ito’s twin free-throw conversions regaining them the lead, only for temporarily though.
Philippines who had squandered a similar position in the first quarter seized the opportunity this time and after Cyrus Baguio drove in the lane to convert, the South East Asian champions never looked back.
Japan withered as Philippines flourished.
Daiji Yamada led the Japanese scoring with 16 points and Kosuke Takeuchi had 14.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia
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