Japan improved to 2-0 in the FIBA Asia Championship, rallying for a 77-67 Group B victory over Lebanon on Sunday in Tokushima. Japan, which trailed 60-52 entering the final period, outscored Lebanon 25-7 in the decisive quarter.
"I thought we were a little too nervous in the last 10 minutes," Lebanon coach Dragan Raca said. "But I'm rather satisfied, because a defeat this early in the tournament gives us a lot of chances for introspection."
Japan, on the other hand, thrived in the fourth.
"We knew it would be a very fast-paced encounter," said Japan coach Kimikazu Sato. "Therefore, I had instructed the boys to be patient and wait for them (Lebanon) to make some mistakes. Luckily for us, it clicked."
Kosuke Takeuchi had a team-high 15 points, followed by Takuya Kawamura (13), Kei Igarashi (10) and a trio of nine-point scorers, Takehiko Orimo, Fumihiko Aono and J.R. Sakuragi.
Sakuragi, the former UCLA and NBA forward known as J.R. Henderson, also led Japan with nine rebounds.
In Japan's tournament opener on Saturday, Sato's squad routed the United Arab Emirates 109-66.