BENGALURU (FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2017) - Manami Fujioka was a one-woman force of nature in Japan's scintillating win over China last night, and she feels it will be a golden ending for them in the Final.

Fujioka was red hot in the Semi-Final, scoring 19 points and hauling down 14 rebounds despite giving up a ton of inches to the much bigger Chinese. The 1.70m point guard, however, couldn't care less about putting big numbers as long as her team wins.

"I did not know the stats," she said after the game. "I am just happy to that we defeated China and are in the Final."

Fujioka is all too happy to deflect the praise to the rest of the team, especially after they fought back from 9 points down with about 5 minutes to go in the game.

"We won by being patient and playing hard even when we were behind," she explained. "It was a great team effort on defense."

Defense will be crucial for them again tonight as they face the undefeated Australians, who beat Japan on Day 3. Fujioka wants some payback and to defend the title they won in 2013 and 2015. Ask her about Japan's chances of upending the Opals, and her reply is crystal clear.

"We will win against Australia."Manami FujiokaManami Fujioka

FIBA