FIBA Asia Cup: Host Japan leads the way at 2-0

Day 3 of the 4th FIBA Asia Cup sees Japan with a perfect 2-0 record and a day off today; India in a must-win situation or facing elimination with Japan on their last day (ed. note – with an 11-hour difference in times, the India-Chinese Taipei game has concluded with Chinese Taipei winning 113-88); and a big game between the Philippines and Uzbekistan in Group A.

Yesterday’s games were all won soundly, but 0-2 Macau gave Uzbekistan a battle through the first half, actually going into the break with a one point advantage. Unfortunately, they should have stayed on the court at halftime as they came out to a 20-2 run at the start of the third quarter to go from a 27-26 lead, to being down 46-29 with 3:40 to play in the frame. By the time the 10 minutes had elapsed, Uzebekistan had amassed a 52-35 advantage and had locked up the win.

In Group B India fell to Qatar after only shooting 2 for 12 in the first quarter and scoring 12 points through the first half of the second quarter. Fortunately they found the bottom of the net and doubled their score in the last five minutes of the half, to only trail by six at the intermission. Qatar then pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Indians 53-38, to close the contest out with a 84-63 victory and a 1-0 record. The loss drops India to 0-2 and their next match-up with Chinese Taipei Today could be do-or-die for the squad as they face the host squad and currently undefeated, Japan; the last place team in each division is dropped from the competition when it moves on to Quarter-Finals.