AMMAN (Jordan) - Japan and Chinese Taipei have already secured their spots to the prestigious FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup next year in Mexico.

The traditional contenders did so following big wins in Day 3 of the FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship-Division A, Wednesday at the Prince Hamzah Sport Hall.

Chinese Taipei end Semis drought

Chinese Taipei were the first to reach the Worlds following a 102-31 win over Syria in the gameday opener, in the process returning to the U16 Semi-Finals after missing the last two editions.

Buoyed by their historic stunner versus Korea barely 24 hours ago, the crew broke the game wide open by way of a 26-8 burst in the second period to eventually remain on top of Group A.

Chen Chia Shan Pan once again led the pack with 19 points, 9 assists, and 9 steals.

Yu Chen Peng fell an assist short of a rare quadruple-double as she tallied 15 points, 13 rebounds, 9 dimes, and 14 steals for an efficiency rating of 42.0. Chinese Taipei had 42 steals as a whole.

Yu Han Lin had 14 points, Yun Ting Hsu made 13, while Jo Yen Wang and Yu Hsuan Yeh added 11 markers apiece in the rout that got them closer to a Semi-Finals berth.

Seventh U17 Worlds in a row

Japan then followed Chinese Taipei to the big stage after beating the debuting China, 70-44, to clinch the no. 1 seed in Group B and become the second team to reach the Semis.

The young Akatsuki jumped to an 18-3 lead to open things up, and they'd never trail the rest of the game en route to the 3-0 record plus a seventh consecutive U17 World Cup appearance to become just one of the 6 teams to qualify in all of its editions since it started in 2010.

Otaho Goto spearheaded Japan with a game-high 17 points and 6 rebounds, together with 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks to submit a full line in 30 minutes of play. 

An Kanazawa and Nanado Hamada had 13 eac, while Kokona Abe added 10 markers and 7 boards for the five-time finalists, who forced China to commit 25 turnovers which they turned into 29 points.

China, meanwhile, were led by the 13 points of Siyu Du in the loss.

Australia send Korea skidding

Meanwhile, Australia collected their second win in as many games by sending the Koreans to back-to-back losses by way of a 71-53 result in the second game of the day.

The three-peat seekers went off to a 20-9 start, and would remain in the driver's seat all the way to the final buzzer to stay in the hunt for the Group A top seed.

Three players finished in double figures in the win, with Ruby Perkins on top with 19 points.

Jade Crook posted 11 points and a game-high 16 rebounds while Jesse-May Hall added 10 markers for the Sapphires, who dominated the boards, 62-44.

On the other hand, Lim Yeonseo and Lee Gahyun once again led the way for the Koreans with 13 and 11 points, respectively, in the loss that dropped their record to 1-2.

Korea actually showed some signs of life in the fourth quarter when they managed to trim what was once a 26-point lead to just 12, 60-48, but Crook and the rest of Australia were quick to arrest their last-ditch comeback attempt on their way to the 18-point win.

New Zealand notch first win

New Zealand also joined the winners' circle following a 80-51 conquest of Samoa.

Keriana Hippolite and Anaiya Nelson finished with 14 points apiece to lead the Junior Tall Ferns, who pulled away in the second period to climb up to no. 2 in Group B with a 1-1 card.

Jennifer Mailei stood out as well with 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 clip from the field, on top of 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 blocks against only one turnover for a 24.0 EFF.

On the other hand, Caprice Hiko had 14 points to lead the Samoans, who fell to 0-2 with the loss. Peata Manumaleuga was the only other double-digit scorer with 12.

Daily Highs
Efficiency: 42.0, Yu Chen Peng (TPE)
Points: 19, Chen Chia Shan Pan (TPE); Ruby Perkins (AUS);
Rebounds: 13, Yu Chen Peng (TPE)
Assists: 9, Yu Chen Peng (TPE); Chen Chia Shan Pan (TPE)
Steals: 14. Yu Chen Peng (TPE)
Blocks: 3, Lilete Sarkis (SYR)

Results
Group A
Chinese Taipei def. Syria, 102-31
Australia def. Korea, 71-53

Group B
Japan def. China, 70-44
New Zealand def. Samoa, 80-51

FIBA