SEREMBAN (Malaysia) - There were no let-ups whatsoever this time around as New Zealand showed much better poise to beat Japan, 68-64, and advance to the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Cup 2025 Final, Saturday night.
The 2023 bronze medalists did a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor, especially down the stretch, refusing to fold in a solid display of growth and maturity from the last time they faced one another.
It could be recalled that the NZL Girls coughed up a lead as big as 12 points and ultimately bowed to a 76-72 result in their Group Phase encounter, and appeared to be bound for another collapse in the rematch.
Their 16-point third-quarter lead became just two, 55-53, entering the game's last five minutes with Miya Takeuchi anchoring the opposition's comeback, but Coach Liam Connelly's charges stepped up to the challenge.
"It was all defense for us," the seasoned mentor offered, discussing their main adjustments. "To hold Japan - they're an amazing offensive team - to just 64 points, it's a credit to the girls and the work they've put in."
Ava Jones came through with timely hits from beyond the arc, with Sienna Maurice doing her part by becoming a steady presence most especially from the free throw line that made their foes pay dearly for fouling her.
Maurice would also deliver big-time on defense, coming through with an interception which she immediately converted into a bucket to give themselves a 67-61 lead with less than a minute remaining.
The Japanese did get to within three again behind Momoka Kaji but could no longer slice the gap further, with New Zealand doubling down on D to force a 24-second shot clock violation with three seconds left.
A split by Charis Broughton with less than two seconds to spare proved to be the finishing touch that enabled the team from Oceania to get a measure of payback - and reach the Final for the very first time.
They will face reigning three-time champions Australia on Sunday at 18:00 local time.
"We talked at the start about how we want to make history, and how we want to be the first team ever to do so," said Connelly. "We understand that to be able to do that, it's all about having a process."
"The girls, it's all credit to them. They bought into that from the get-go," he added. "For us to get to this point, to get to the Final of Asia Cup, is massive for us, and hopefully inspires the next ones coming up."
Jones and Maurice led New Zealand with 15 points apiece. Emilia Ainley made 12 points and 6 rebounds plus a pair of blocks, with Shamar Broughton chipping in 10 points as four of the five starters finished in twin digits.
Such a collective effort indeed trumped the basically one-woman show for Team Japan courtesy of Takeuchi, who posted a game-high 23 points alongside 4 rebounds and 7 assists - all without a turnover.
Takeuchi was responsible in pulling themselves back into the game, scoring and assisting in their last 10 points of the third quarter to trim a wide 48-32 deficit to just six points, 48-42, entering the deciding chapter.
It was also her who chopped the gap to just a field goal, but the diminutive floor general could only do so much as New Zealand just had more weapons to lean on when the going got tough.
With the loss, Japan will be missing the Final for the first time ever.
Still, the one-time champions can try to settle for a bronze-medal finish as they take on China in another rematch on Sunday as well in a clash between the first two winners of the biennial youth competition.
FIBA