SHENZHEN (China) - Japan leaned on a big third quarter to eventually give New Zealand the boot, 77-62, and barge into the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 Semi-Finals, Friday evening at the Shenzhen Sports Center.
Mai Kawai broke the 45-all knot with a three-pointer, before Maki Takada joined hands with young guns Norika Konno and Kokoro Tanaka for the critical 11-0 run toward a 59-47 lead with three minutes remaining.
The traditional contenders completely owned the said period, 22-8, and that proved to be more than enough to put themselves in cruise control toward the final four set Saturday, where they will face their biggest rival.
In ousting the Tall Ferns, the Japanese have forged a showdown with China in the Semi-Finals, marking a rematch between the protagonists of the 2023 Final which saw Team Dragon escape narrowly to regain the gold.
"This is the game, I think, any basketball player dreams of," offered head coach Corey Gaines of the clash ahead. "It's an honor, it's a privilege to play in games like that against China in China, in front of the crowd."
"That's what you love. That's what you dreamed of when you're a kid," the former player-turned-bench tactician continued. "Big game, big situation. And that's what you play the game for."
Tanaka led Team Japan with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor - including a 2-of-4 clip from beyond the arc - on top of 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals for an all-around showing in nearly 23 minutes.
Norika Konno delivered 13 points, including the layup to cap off a mini 7-0 run to open the final period and widen their lead to its biggest at 19 points, 68-49, with about seven minutes left in the match.
Yuki Miyazawa notched a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, while the quintet of team captain Takada, Kawai Nanako Todo, Stephanie Mawuli, and Ramu Tokashiki contributed at least 5 points in the win.
This marks the program's 27th straight Semi-Final appearance in FIBA's flagship event for women's national teams in Asia but the present batch, of course, wants to bring Japan back after their 'five-peat' ended in 2023.
Esra McGoldrick, on the other hand, was the lone bright spot for New Zealand with game-highs of 28 points and 12 rebounds in the defeat, which foiled their bid of returning to the Semi-Finals for the second straight edition.
With the loss, the Tall Ferns' best finish in this tournament could be at fifth, which they will fight for against the losing side between Korea and the Philippines in the other Qualification to Semi-Finals bracket.
FIBA