Japan youth scores overtime upset over Pilipinas U21
A herculean effort by the Japanese Under-21 national team paid off as they took down the Philippines' youth squad, 105-103 in overtime to secure their third win in Pool B play at the ongoing Asian U21 Championships for Season 58.
Japan already showed signs of fight from the opening tip as Katsumi Shimura and Jotaro Koma connived to lead Nippon to a 25-22 lead at the end of the first quarter. This was quickly turned around in the second period, however, by the improved scoring of Quique Ibaigane and Ge Kuanxiong as they turned the three-point deficit into a 13-point lead, 52-39, at halftime.
But just as the Filipinos looked poised to pull away from their Far Eastern counterparts, Japan would keep riding the hot hand of Koma to come to within four point multiple times within the third frame. JC Guardamano and CM Fabella would join the scoring fray to keep Japan at bay but the game has been made closer entering the final canto, 74-69, setting up for the eventual cardiac finish.
The quarter-long struggle would see both sides exchange the lead over the remaining 12 minutes. But as the game was entering the last 2-minute mark, Japan have taken the driver's seat, 91-90. Irvin Portugal would then score for the Philippines to make it 92-91 for the Filipinos. Shimura would attempt to shoot a go-ahead three-pointer from straight-on, only to miss the shot as Japan scrambled to foul Unna Emiliano Rico, who received the ball from CM Fabella after the latter grabbed the rebound. Rico would split his charities to make it 93-91, leaving the door ajar for Japan. Takahide Fugunaga would then oblige, scoring on a layup coming off of a timeout with 15 ticks remaining to force the extra session between the two nations at 93-all.
Overtime would prove to be just as dramatic as the previous period as both teams did not let the other get any further than two points for the additional five minutes of play. With about 47 seconds remaining, CM Fabella would connect with a jam underneath from a beautiful Portugal dime to tie the game yet again at 100-all. Japan would answer with a pretty pass play of their own as Shimura found Kosei Kamioka for a layup to break the deadlock anew at 102-100 for Japan.
In the ensuing play, Rico would launch a desperation heave from long distance, which finds the bottom of the net and give the Philippines back the lead, 103-102. But Nippon would find an answer as Eiji Nakao shot a heavily-challenged triple that went in to punch the eventual final score of the game. Portugal would have an attempt afterwards with just one second remaining but his fade-away from about 4-feet hit the back iron.
Ibaigane would end up with 24 points, followed by Kuanxiong's 18 and Fabella's 16 points and 13 rebounds. Fortunato Arcega and JC Guardamano would score 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the losing effort.
The Japanese were paced by Koma's 34 points, with Satoru Kai scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Kamioka would scored 13 points while three other Nippon players would score in double figures.
Despite the loss, the Philippines will advance to the next round of pool play due to their superior point differential over Indonesia and Japan, who they share identical 3-3 slates. With their win, Japan's differential allows them to overtake Indonesia's spot, which means that they are eliminated from the bi-seasonal tourney.
Last edited by Ceruver at 09/20/2022 08:53:57