AHMEDABAD (India) - The FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 Semi-Finals is now nearing completion following New Zealand's masterful 94-58 conquest of Japan at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium on Friday night.
The Junior Tall Blacks only led by seven after the first, but everything changed come the middle quarters after their stifling defense limited the opposition to a single digit in each period to break away wide.
Usually potent offensively, the Japanese got held to just 13 points while the contenders from Oceania poured in 40 for a commanding 68-34 lead, putting the game way out of reach to eventually barge into the 'Final Four.'
New Zealand are now headed to their third Semi-Finals in as many campaigns, giving themselves a step closer from returning to the Final and earn redemption after settling for runner-up finishes in the past.
That includes the 2024 competitions in Jordan, where they went all the way to the Last Dance with an immaculate 5-0 win-loss record only to get manhandled by eventual two-time champions Australia, 96-33.
Now, they have become the third team to reach the penultimate phase after China and Korea, and all of them have also booked three of the four tickets via Asia to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2027 in Czechia.
All but one scored at least 2 points in the romp, with Jackson Ball showing the way with 20 points. He sank four of the team's seven triples and also collected 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 24 minutes.
Aubrey Chunga notched a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, plus 4 assists and 3 blocks. Cole Hopoi made 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists, with Hoani Ifopo-Togia adding 10 as well alongside 5 assists.
The Junior Tall Blacks will next face China in the Semi-Finals in a clash of 4-0 teams tomorrow.
Kaito Nakamura, on the other hand, finished with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists for Japan, who missed the Semi-Finals for the second time in a row after a runner-up finish during the 2022 contest in Iran.
Alex McMillian and Roi Honda added 10 each for the EABA side.
The Japanese will try to salvage some pride in the Classification Round 5-8 that starts tomorrow as well.
FIBA