Asian Games 2018: Men's Basketball Classification Round - Philippines Vs Japan

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda Basketball for the full coverage of Basketball at the 2018 Asian Games. This is Yash Matange signing off.

With this win, the Philippines are now assured of finishing at least 5th and 6th officially in the tournament.

That will be decided on Friday - the 31st of August against either of Syria or Indonesia!

That's that!

Jordan Clarkson - 22 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds - gets his first win with the national team!

FULL TIME! Philippines 113-80 Japan

Philippines piling it on!

Now, a 27-point game.

A 25-point game for Philippines with 1:36 left!

Under 4 minutes to go and Jordan Clarkson is now agonizingly close to his first win as a member of the national squad!

Now, a 22-point lead!

Philippines cross the 100-point mark!

Japan call TIMEOUT!

Can they spring a surprise or do the Philippines already have this one in the bag?

JORDAN CLARKSON FOR THE DUNK!

Philippines score another and now they are 19 up with 4:58 to go.

EXCITING BASKETBALL this quarter!

Both teams trading baskets. It's 14-11 in Japan's favor this quarter but they are still down by 15.

Can Philippines hold on for the win?

Last two games they had late scoring droughts that lost them the games. What about today? 15-point lead surely should be good enough, right?

Start of the fourth quarter and Japan score quick this time!

They score 6 quick ones and only give away one 3 in the first 1:21 of the fourth period.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

End of Q3, Philippines 82-64 Japan

Japan bounce back in the second half of the third quarter but they just couldn't make up for their drought over the first four minutes of the quarter where Philippines scored 11 unanswered!

Jordan Clarkson now takes the lead back to 16 with a couple of FT's.

Lot of trading baskets over the last few minutes but Philippines still lead by 14!

Japan get within 14 now after a Kumagae Naoya layup!

The last minute has been exciting.

Both teams trading buckets here. Still a 16-point game in favor of Philippines.

5 quick points for Japan including a 3 from Harimoto but it's still a 16-point game.

Harimoto gets Japan on the board, FINALLY!

He makes 2 free-throws for Japan's first points at the 5:54 mark of the third quarter.

Almost halfway in and Japan are yet to open their account for the half.

Japan forced to call TIMEOUT again!

In the minute's action between the timeouts, Philippines score 4 unanswered and now have a 21-point lead.

To make matters worse, Stanley Pringle makes both of his and now Philippines have a 19-point lead!

Ota Atsuya had a chance to get the first points of the second half for Japan but he misses both FT's and Japan are still down 17!

Japan call TIMEOUT!

Now, it's Jordan Clarkson's turn to lay one in.

He does and that's 7-0 in this period for the Philippines. They are now up by 17!

Stanley Pringle lays one in and now Philippines are up by 15!

2 minutes into the third quarter and just one bucket between both teams so far!

Philippines grew the lead to 13 now with a quick 3 to start proceedings.

Start of the third quarter!

Other quick takeaways:

- Japan have assisted on 16 of their 17 field goals.
- Both teams have only combined for 5 turnovers so far [that's got to be some record-low!]
- Both teams together only have 1 block, which is recorded by the Philippines.

Best players:

Philippines - Christian Standhardinger - 12 points, 10 rebounds and 2 steals on 5-of-6 shooting.
Japan - Taichi Nakamura - 13 points, 6 assists and 2 rebounds on 4-of-10 shooting.

This time, Philippines close the quarter well.

Outscoring Japan 30-20, Philippines took the advantage in the last 1:04 minutes of the quarter where they score 7 unanswered!

HALFTIME! Philippines 57-47 Japan

The combo of Clarkson and Standhardinger strikes again. This time, the latter gets fouled.

Standhardinger makes the FT and it's back to a 8-point lead [55-47]!

Jordan Clarkson drops an assist to Standhardinger!

Philippines back up by 5!

Japan are back within 3 points [47-50]

Japan ensuring this IS A GAME!

It's an 8-point game but Japan quickly make in-roads with a Nakamura 3!

Jordan Clarkson makes the FT and now it's a 7-point lead for the Philippines.

Japan calls the first TIMEOUT of the game as the Philippines open up a 6-point lead with Jordan Clarkson set to complete his 3-point play.

Make that a 3-point lead with that layup from Standhardinger for the Philippines.

Norwood now with a jumper in the paint and Philippines are back ahead!

Both teams trading buckets right now.

Harimoto gets a layup after Jordan Clarkson laid one in transition.

Ota Atsuya responds with a layup. He has five straight points now!

John Dalistan puts Philippines back in the lead with a 3!

Half a minute later, Ota Atsuya is back to the FT line.

He makes both this time. Japan have the lead now 34-32!