Photo credit: FIBA Asia
Asia's no. 7 Japan defeated Asia's no. 6 Gilas Pilipinas Men, 102-81 to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup on Tuesday, July 19 at the Istora Senayan Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Akatsuki Five will face powerhouse Australia in the knockout quarterfinals on Thursday, July 21 while the Philippines misses FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2007. As per tiebreakertimes, the last time Japan defeated the Philippines was back in the 2010 Asian Games via a 60-58 decision. In the continental cup meanwhile, this is Akatsuki Five's first victory over the Philippines since the 2003 ABC Championship, winning 66-64.
Yuki Togashi led Japan with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting including five 3-pointers along with 6 assists, 1 rebound and a steal un 22 minutes of play. Luke Evans with a solid game of 17 points (6/9 fg, 5/5 ft) to go with 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal while Yuta Watanabe added 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
Bobby Ray Parks paced Gilas with 16 points, 3 assists and a steal while Kiefer Ravena added 15 points.
Gilas committed 17 turnovers while Japan had 10, PHL shot 32/73 (43%) from the field including 9-of-28 shooting from downtown (JPN - 33/68 fg, 13/25 3pts) and Gilas went 8-of-12 from the free throw line (JPN - 23/25 ft). Japan had more steals 10-4 and assists 15-14.
The Scores:
JAPAN 102 – Togashi 18, Evans 17, Watanabe 15, Nishida 15, Suda 14, Harimoto 9, Yoshii 7, Sato 5, Inoue 2, Toews 0, Tominaga 0, Kawamura 0.
PHILIPPINES 81 – Parks 16, Kiefer Ravena 15, Tamayo 10, Belangel 9, Erram 7, Quiambao 6, Abarrientos 5, Navarro 4, Lopez 3, Abando 2, Chiu 2, Thirdy Ravena 2.
Quarters: 32-16, 50-34, 77-63, 102-81.
