TOKYO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Japan lost both of their games in last month's Qualifiers but if there is a positive to take away, it has been Naoto Tsuji rising to the occasion as one of their biggest weapons.

The 28-year-old veteran point guard stepped up for the Akatsuki Five in the absence of backcourt mainstays Yuki Togashi and Yudai Baba, both of whom were sidelined with injuries.

The 6ft 1in (1.85m) Tsuji flashed fine form in their homestand against the visiting Chinese Taipei quintet, sinking eight three-pointers in a scintillating outside shooting display. He finished with 26 points in 27 minutes.

"This was a great opportunity to represent the country," Tsuji said. "I thought I would definitely make the most of this opportunity."

Despite Tsuji's remarkable sharp shooting, Japan still fell short and lost, 70-69, in Yokohama. It was a telling defeat for the Japanese, who badly needed a win to have the inside track to a Second Round berth.

Tsuji's backcourt partner Ryusei Shinoyama attributed the loss to Japan's loose defense.

"I think we had good shooting, especially Naoto Tsuji," Shinoyama said. "I think the whole team can still improve, though, especially with our intensity on defense. We didn't have a good defensive rhythm, and we have to change that."

Japan will have two more chances to get themselves into the win column during the third window, but it will be far from easy. They host unbeaten Australia (4-0) on June 29 before flying out to finish their First Round campaign at Chinese Taipei on July 2.

Only the top three Group B teams will advance to the Second Round and with both Australia and Philippines already having booked their slots, Japan will be batting Chinese Taipei for the third and final ticket to reach the next stage on the Road to China 2019.

FIBA