Japan have their work cut out for clash with Philippines
YOKOHAMA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Japan head coach Julio Lamas says his team is in a non-ideal situation now in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers going into the next game at Philippines.
After losing the first two games in November, things did not get any easier for Japan with a 70-69 home loss against Chinese Taipei in Group B with a date against Philippines waiting on Sunday in Manila.
"We want to win. If we can beat Philippines great. Or if we can beat Chinese Taipei away by two points, then we can go to the second round," Lamas said after the loss.
"It's not the situation we want, but it’s the situation we have now."
The main thing for Japan is to pull together, according to Naoto Tsuji.
"WE WANT TO WIN. IF WE CAN BEAT PHILIPPINES, GREAT. OR IF WE CAN BEAT CHINESE TAIPEI AWAY BY TWO POINTS, THEN WE CAN GO TO THE SECOND ROUND. IT'S NOT THE SITUATION WE WANTED, BUT IT'S THE SITUATION WE HAVE NOW"Lamas
"We have to become one and win the next game," said Tsuji, who hit eight three-pointers to score 26 points for Japan in the loss to Chinese Taipei.
Lamas said he will not change too much going against the 2-1 Filipinos in the next game.
"It's not a good time for me to question the quality of the players. It's time for me to help the players and the team to improve for the next game," the coach said. "After the next game, the second window is finished and we have time to think."
FIBA
