Japan nips Philippines in Asian Games, 60-58

GUANGZHOU, China – Japan stayed unbeaten in Group F after pulling off a 60-58 squeaker over the Philippine Smart Gilas team Friday night in the 16th Asian Games at the Huangpu Gymnasium. JV Casio missed a difficult fade-away jumper from the baseline that denied the Filipinos the chance to send the game to overtime, instead absorbing their second loss in three games. Takumi Ishikazi led Japan with 16 points while Kosuke Takeuchi added 11 markers and the same number of rebounds to keep their team record unblemished, 3-0. “It was a defensive battle. The Philippine team played very good defense," said Japan’s American coach Thomas Wisman. It was a third straight close finish for the Japanese, who beat Chinese Taipei, 63-57 and Iran, 57-56 in their first two games. Marcio Lassiter led the PHL 5 with 13 points while Kelly Williams netted 12 markers and had 12 boards before fouling out late in the game. Casio had 10 points but had to work for his shots against Japan’s sticky defense that kept the Filipinos out of their offensive rhythm early. Skipper Chris Tiu was held down to just five markers on 1-of-6 shooting. He had three quick fouls late in the first half. The Philippines actually led 14-9 after the first period but the Japanese, led by Takeuchi, Ishikazi and ex-NBA campaigner Yuta Tabuse, stormed back in the middle quarters and gave their team a 48-43 lead entering the fourth period. Gilas Pilipinas scored the first six points of the final period for a 49-48 lead with 8:13 remaining, but Japan answered with a 10-5 blast to grab a 58-54 edge with three minutes left. Williams missed two crucial free throws in the next play but Japan failed to convert in the ensuing possession. Williams redeemed himself with a drive to make it closer at 56-59. Takeuchi later split his charities to give the Filipinos a chance to tie, 60-58, with 5.9 ticks remaining. Casio, who had 22 points in PHL 5’s 90-68 win against Qatar, drove hard to the basket but his fade-away jumper was well challenged by Japan and it missed the mark as the final buzzer sounded. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV