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Japan and China book tickets to FIBA 3x3 Nations League 2022 Final after winning Asia Conference
PENANG (Malaysia) - Japan (men's) and China (women's) enjoyed two triumphs during the last trio of stops at the FIBA 3x3 Nations League 2022 Asia Conference on July 25-31 in Penang to book tickets to the Nations League Final in Constanta, Romania, on September 14-16.
In the men's, it was a three-way battle between Japan, China and Mongolia, who topped the standings after winning the third stop. But Japan made their move in stop 4 starting with a thrilling 21-20 semi-final victory over China followed by a convincing 21-14 over Mongolia.
Mongolia's hopes of reaching the Constanta Final were dashed by a lowly fourth placed finish in stop 5 as China kept themselves alive with a commanding 21-16 win over Japan.
With Japan leading by just 20 points over China and only 30 clear of third-placed Mongolia, the stage was set for an incredible finale. But Japan held their nerve to crush China in the final 21-12 and seal a place to Constanta.
Sniper Ryo Sadohara was firing all week long to make Penang wet with the 22-year-old emerging as a rising star for Japan. He finished second overall in scoring in Penang, just behind Mongolian dragster Ulzii-Orshikh Myagmarsuren.
Japan's taking care of business! 🏀🤩 #3x3NL pic.twitter.com/GV3CpifNvx
— FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) July 30, 2022
In the women's, like their counterparts, the Asian superpowers were locked in a battle for top spot but it was China who emerged over Japan by just 40 points.
The teams split the six stops but Japan's fourth-placed finish in stop 4 proved costly. Led by FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2022 gold medalist Kun Huang and the towering Mingling Chen (6ft. 4, 1.92m) - who won the scoring charts in Malaysia, China were better at the business end of the competition and took out stops 4 and 5 to essentially lock up a place to Constanta.
You ain't stopping China! 💨💨🏀 #3x3NL pic.twitter.com/VYRt2Hrv3k
— FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) July 30, 2022
Japan, who boasted Asia Cup 2022 player Norika Konno, had a consolation victory over China in the final of stop 6 but it came too late.
Men
1. Japan 530 points
2. China 490
3. Mongolia 470
4. Thailand 335
5. Malaysia 305
Women
1. China 540 points
2. Japan 500
3. Thailand 430
4. Mongolia 360
5. Malaysia 330
Japan's men and China's women join Lithuania's men and women (winners of the Europe East Conference), Rwanda's men and Kenya's women (winners of the Africa South Conference), Czech Republic U21's men and Lithuania U21's women (winners of the U21 Europe East Conference) and Mongolia U21's men and Japan U21's women (winners of the U21 Asia Conference), who also qualified for the Nations League Final.
The Nations League makes a quick return on August 2-4 in Szolnok, Hungary, in stops 4-6 of the Europe Central conference.
FIBA