Japan and China continue to surge at EABA Championship 2017
NAGANO (EABA Championship 2017) - Japan and China remained undefeated after scoring separate victories on Day 2 of the EABA Championship 2017 in Nagano.
Makoto Hiejima recorded a sublime double-double for Japan as the Akatsuki Five made quick work of also-ran Macau, 119-47, in the opening game. Hiejima was unstoppable in this contest, tossing in 17 points to go along with 10 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals in a scintillating display of skill. Twin towers Kosuke and Joji Takeuchi also asserted their might, pairing up for 20 points and 17 rebounds, while Yudai Baba and Ryumo Ono each tallied 13 points in their second triumph in as many games.
代表：「東アジアバスケットボール選手権大会2017」日本119-47マカオ。この勝利で4強入りを決めた日本はFIBA ASIA カップ（8月／レバノン）への出場が決定！準決勝は6月6日(火)19:00〜（対戦相手未定） https://t.co/dJbciy52Yc pic.twitter.com/gDmUlhxGVt
— 日本バスケットボール協会(JBA) (@JAPANBASKETBALL) June 4, 2017
Macau were clearly out of their league in this matchup as they were out-rebounded, 50-31, and outscored in the paint, 64-20. Macau also turned the ball over 25 times, which led to Japan's scoring 35 points off turnovers. Hoi Fong Iam and Un Kam Chi paced Macau with 12 and 10 points respectively.
China did not let themselves get outdone by the hosts as they, too, notched their second straight W. Not even Duncan Reid's double-double performance could derail the dominance of the Chinese, who prevailed rather convincingly over Hong Kong, 90-60. Like their win over Chinese Taipei, China had a fast start in this game, leading by 15 after one quarter and never looking back.
Perimeter player Sun Minghui impressed for coach Fan Bin's squad with 12 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals, while Reid was Hong Kong's top player with a 16-point, 10-rebound line.
Hong Kong put up a spirited stand here, but they just had no answer for China's size, athleticism and shooting. China drained a dozen triples compared to only 9 for Hong Kong, and the victors, as expected, dominated the battle of the boards, 47-29.
The dynamic duo of Hu Jinqiu and Zhao Yanhao continued to shine for China with 17 and 16 points respectively even as 18-year-old Wu Yujia also turned some heads with 10 points in under 16 minutes of action.
As a team, Hong Kong shot just 32% from the field, with Chan Siu Wing the only other player in double-figures, scoring 12 points.
Both Japan and China take a break on Day 3, while Macau face Korea and Hong Kong try their luck against Chinese Taipei. The winners on Day 3 will join Japan and China in the Semi-Finals.
RESULTS:
Japan beat Macau, 119-47
China beat Hong Kong, 90-60
FIBA
