ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - Australia moved one win away from achieving unprecedented history after obliterating Japan, 101-36, to advance to the FIBA U16 Asia Cup Final 2025, Saturday night at the MBank Arena.
The Crocs wasted no time seizing control unloading 15 unanswered points to open the game before finishing the first 10 minutes with a huge 31-10 advantage to make it an affair so lopsided the rest of the way.
Winning meant more than just giving themselves an opportunity to defend the throne as the proud program has also earned a shot at winning a 'four-peat,' which has not been accomplished by any team in this tilt.
The Aussies can also break a tie with China for the most competition titles at four should they complete the mission, and they will try to do so against, coincidentally, Team Dragon in the championship bout on Sunday.
Game time is set at 19:00 local time in a rematch of the 2017 Final.
"Very proud of the group with the way we played," offered head coach Greg Vanderjagt post-game. "I thought we had great intent right from the tip-off. The players were locked in on the game plan."
Five players finished in double figures in the win, with Will Hamilton showing the way with 17 points. Alex Mabbott fell just short of a double-double as he came through with 15 points and 9 rebounds with 2 steals.
Isaiah Jorgenson delivered 12 points and 7 rebounds. Alex Edwards and Luke Paul chipped in 10 points apiece and combined for 11 rebounds for a squad that shot 58.6-percent from the floor and dished out 25 assists.
"The execution on the offensive end - the ball movement, all the things that we've tried to build within this group over our journey together so far... I thought it was very good tonight of who we wanted to be," Vanderjagt said.
"The focus continues to be on us as we move forward," he added.
Japan, on the other hand, will try to pick themselves up as soon as they can and put all their attention to New Zealand for the Third-Place Game on Sunday at 16:30, with the winner taking home the bronze medal.
FIBA