Japan narrowly edged the Philippines 85-82 in a dramatic Group B clash at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on Monday, maintaining their perfect record in the tournament. The defending champions built a 22-point lead early in the fourth quarter through sharpshooter Maki Takada’s 20-point performance, only to face a fierce 25-8 comeback rally by the Philippines in the final period.
Philippines’ Jack Animam dominated the paint with a game-high 24 points, while Vanessa De Jesus’ last-second three-pointer brought the deficit to 85-82 – the closest margin since the first quarter. Despite the late surge, Japan’s early momentum proved decisive.
Meanwhile, Australia showcased depth in their 113-84 rout of Lebanon, with eight players scoring double digits. The commanding victory sets up a high-stakes Tuesday showdown between undefeated Group B leaders Japan and Australia, promising a pivotal match for tournament standings.
