CHINA will have to go through the host team if it is to regain the Asian Games men’s basketball gold.
Japan arranged a semifinals showdown with the eight-time champion after subduing Chinese Taipei, 85-78, late Wednesday night in the last quarterfinal game of the Asiad’s 20th edition at the Aichi International Arena.
Kotetsu Kurokawa shot a near perfect 3-of-4 from beyond the arc to finish with 23 points in pacing the Akatsuki Five, who are in the semifinals for the first time since the 2014 quadrennial meet in Incheon, South Korea.
Now, the Japanese get a shot against the Chinese, who appeared vulnerable in their quarterfinal game against Saudi Arabia, which they won just the same, 87-77.
China is eyeing to reclaim the basketball gold it lost to Gilas Pilipinas in Hangzhou three years ago during the semifinals, 77-76, after losing a lead as large as 20 points early in the second half.
The top-seeded Chinese won the gold eight times in the last 12 editions of the Asian Games.
Other side of semis
The other semifinals pairing will see second seed South Korea battling Iran.
The semifinals is set on Friday, with the finals to be played on Sunday.
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