CHANGSHA-HUNAN (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - The Philippines had to pull out all stops on Friday but beat Japan, 81-70, to reach the Final of the FIBA Asia Championship for the second consecutive time.

With Jayson Castro and Andray Blatche again supplying plenty of points, rebounds, assists and energy, the Philippines also got a shot in the arm from several others to see off a Japanese team that played with tremendous resolve and at times looked like a side that would go on to win.

Philippines captain Donaldo Hontiveros hit a tournament high six three-pointers, including three in the fourth quarter, to help Tab Baldwin's side. If he was the X-factor, Ranidel de Ocampo and Gabe Norwood were close seconds.

De Ocampo had seven rebounds and two steals to go with his eight points and Norwood excelled defensively, coming up with a couple of steals and a block to go with five rebounds.

Japan's Makoto Hiejima had 28 points - 22 in the first half - but the Far East side wasn't able to set up a Final showdown with China.

"I think Japan deserves an awful lot of credit," Philippines coach Tab Baldwin said.

"They could easily have won that game. It was an outstanding game of basketball. I thought our guys just made a few more plays in the last minute and a half and they didn't."

Turning Point: Time and time again, Japan made plays to stay within striking distance. After Atsuya Ota made one of two free-throws with 2:45 left to reduce the deficit to 72-68, the pressure was again on the Philippines. De Ocampo went to the other end of the court and hit a jump shot for a six-point advantage and Hontiveros, after a steal by Norwood, followed with a three-pointer.

Stats Don't Lie: Hontiveros hit a tournament high six three-pointers, including three in the fourth quarter. As a team, the Philippines were 13 of 31 from behind the arc while Japan missed all 11 of their attempts.

Game Hero: Jayson Castro was the Philippines player who held his team together for the first three quarters with his solid, gutsy play. He finished with 20 points, seven assists and two steals.

The Bottom Line: The Philippines underlined their status as one of the powers of Asian basketball, making it to the Final for the second straight time. Unlike two years ago when they lost at home in the title game to Iran, Gilas will this time have to play against the unbeaten Chinese in front of their own fans. The stakes could not be any higher with the winner clinching a spot in next year's Olympics. Japan will battle Iran for third place.

FIBA