Chinese Taipei scare was a wake-up call, says Japan coach Utsumi

WUHAN (2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship) - Japan coach Tomohide Utsumi did have his heart in the mouth when Chinese Taipei staged a marvelous second quarter rally taking the fight to the defending champions in Friday's first Semi-Final.

Taipei overturned a first quarter double-digit deficit and played some delightful basketball spreading open the Japanese defense time and again to seemingly take control of the proceedings.

A rearguard action powered by Ramu Tokashiki cerebral play helped the defending champions win 65-58.

"Well, I can't really say we did anything wrong. But we were certainly out of rhythm," Utsumi rued.

"It's kind of a wakeup call for us," he said.

Tokashiki, who had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals, shrugged off saying "It’s a game of basketball alright. It doesn't come easy."

"I'm happy it happened in the second quarter, before it got too late," said Utsumi.

"Also happy it happened in the Semi-Finals than tomorrow. We have time to recoup, regroup and recover," he said.

"We have another game to go," said Taipei coach Otis Hughley Jr.

"But we badly needed this. I thought we had it under control. But then you can never take things for granted against quality teams. They can hit whenever."

FIBA