The Japanese women's national basketball team made a triumphal return home on Monday, fresh from winning the Asia Cup for the third straight time.
The Akatsuki Five, who edged Australia 74-73 in Saturday's thrilling championship game, flew back to Narita airport on Monday morning with the gold medals around their necks.
This latest championship victory had a somewhat different flavor. Unlike in the previous two Cups, in 2013 and 2015, the team played without star forward Ramu Tokashiki, who was awarded the tournament MVP at those two tournaments and is currently busy playing in the WNBA. Also, team captain and point guard Asami Yoshida did not play in the semifinal and final because of a knee injury.
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