DONGGUAN (China) - Fujitsu completed half of the FIBA Women's Basketball League Asia (WBL Asia) 2025 Final picture following a 104-83 ouster of Ulaanbaatar, Saturday evening at the Dongguan Sports Center.
The Red Wave were quick to seize control early although it wasn't until the third canto where they'd finally lead comfortably on the way to reaching the Big Dance - and giving themselves a chance to vie for the gold.
Whatever happens on Sunday would actually assure the reigning WJBL champions a better finish than a bronze from the 2024 inaugurals but none, of course, would be better than taking home the ultimate prize.
The Japanese side will face either Dongguan New Century or Busan BNK Sum in the finale.
"The Amazons were a really good team. We had a lot of problems [against them]," offered head coach Hikaru Kusaka as his charges actually lost to the Amazons, 16-20, in the second quarter. "But we did it."
Maho Hayashi led the way with 29 points, 15 of which she made in the fourth quarter to power the strong finish. She went 8-for-9 from beyond the arc and finished with a 10-of-12 clip from the floor.
Yuki Miyazawa came through with 15 points, spiked by three triples, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Aki Fujimoto made 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Saki Hayashi and Rui Machida chipped in 10 points apiece.
Hayashi, Miyazawa, and Fujimoto were crucial in Fujitsu's third-quarter breakaway, helping put together the 12-0 run that turned a narrow six-point lead to a 69-51 advantage with less than four minutes on the clock.
And when their Mongolian counterparts cut the gap to 12 early in the final period, Aoi Yamada cut their momentum before Maho restored order by nailing back-to-back threes for the 91-71 lead with 6:42 remaining.
"My role is to make shots," said Maho, whose excellent shooting night seemingly rubbed off on the rest of the squad as they shot nearly 55-percent. "My teammates give me good passes, and I just take the shots."
Amari Robinson, on the other hand, led Ulaanbaatar with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Kayleigh Truong had 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Khulan Onolbaatar added 14 points and 7 rebounds.
The Amazons will look to take home the bronze as they will face the losing team between Dongguan and BNK Sum in the Third-Place Game set on Sunday as well, just before the championship bout.
FIBA