TOKYO, Japan (4th FIBA Asia Cup): Hosts Japan posted their second win in the trot in the Prelim Round ‘Group of Death’ Group B beating East Asian archrivals Chinese Taipei with a clinical performance as Philippines and Qatar opened their accounts – playing with rectified approaches from last night – in the wins columns on Saturday at the 4th FIBA Asia Cup.

Japan, thus are the only unbeaten team after two days, although China and Iran the only two teams that have won the FIBA Asia Championship in the last decade and a half were watching the proceedings from the stands on their rest days.

Japan had lost to Chinese Taipei in the William Jones Cup last month, and by a sizable margin at that and the defeat lingered on the hosts’ mind in the 98-70 (Game report) triumph.

The hayabusa took an early flight scoring the first 9 points and the game and never looked back till they achieved the victory.

Qatar and Philippines, on the other hand, came into the day having lost their opening games and thus their coaches had set ‘do-or-die’ situations for their wards.

Qatar used their more experienced, and taller line-up to quell the challenge India posed and won 84-63 (Game report).

Philippines fought a protracted battle with Lebanon and won 78-68 (Game report) having corrected their mistakes from the defeat against China on the opening day.

The day had begun with Uzbekistan starting their campaign with an 81-61 win (Game report) against Macau, the latter’s second defeat in the competition.

FIBA Asia