Japan delivered a gritty performance to bounce back from its early struggles, but wound up losing its opening 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier.
Point guard Jayson William racked up 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists and former NBA big man Andray Blatche followed with 13 points and 12 rebounds to guide the Philippines past Japan 77-71 in the teams' first World Cup qualifier at Tokyo's Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground Gymnasium on Friday night.
Japan is paired with the Philippines, Australia and Taiwan in Group B, and this is the first Asian qualifiers in which they compete in a home-and-away format. The top three teams from each of the four groups will advance to next fall's second round.