TOKYO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers game between Japan and the Philippines has sold out all available tickets at the Komazawa Gymnasium as of November 6.

The game between the Akatsuki Five and Gilas Pilipinas will be held on November 24 at the Komazawa Gymnasium which has a reported seating capacity of 3,875 and was famously used for the Tokyo Olympics 1964.

"I am so pleased to know fans in Japan pay a great deal of attention to the game against Philippines," said Japan Basketball Association (JBA) Secretary-General Michihiro Tanaka. "I truly hope our team will show their best and start the road to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 with a victory in front of our home fans."

This is the latest milestone in the resurgence of Japanese basketball, which has seen multiple titles for their women's teams and consistent top four finishes for their youth teams these past few years. Selling out their very first game of the Asian Qualifiers is another big step in the right direction for Japan, especially as it gives them added momentum ahead of the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

After playing the Philippines, Japan will travel to Adelaide to play Australia on November 27, while the Filipinos will host Chinese Taipei at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila.

FIBA