FIBAのインスタグラム(fiba) - 9月2日 02時06分

One team blew out a fellow podium contender while another snuck past the hosts. Despite their contrasting routes to success, however, both Korea and Japan were undoubtedly the biggest winners of Day Four at the #FIBAAsiaWomen2015.

Korea seem to be gaining a lot of momentum in Level I (Group A), especially after defeating Chinese Taipei, 76-58. Coach We Sung-Woo's team quickly built a double-digit lead against their East Asia rivals and successfully kept them at bay.

Wily guard Asami Yoshida came through in crunch time with a magical shot in traffic and helped defending champions Japan to pull the rug from under China, 57-56, in the schedule’s most heart-pumping contest.

Thailand finally notched their first win, but it didn't come easy as they had to prevail over a tough Indian team, 65-63. Coach Pojana Sujaritwobool's charges got off to a splendid start, outgunning their opponents 21-14 in the first quarter, but, true to form, the Indians clawed back, and it was a nip-and-tuck affair all the way to the end.

Earlier in the day, Kazakhstan opened with a 78-50 rout of Sri Lanka. Tamara Yagodkina had 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists to give her team their third win in four tries. Anjalee Ekanayake tried her best to lift Sri Lanka with 17 points and 3 triples, but it was to no avail.

The Philippines also continued to roll, booking their third win, 75-62, at the expense of Hong Kong. Once again, it was Allana Lim who starred for the Filipinas, dropping 20 points, while Afril Bernardino added 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals.

DPR Korea notched a much-needed victory, blasting Malaysia, 83-45, behind the hot shooting of Pak Hyang-Jong.

The final day of group play promises to be a humdinger, with the top two Level II (Group B) slots at stake and teams like Korea and China hoping to gather more steam heading into the semifinals. The ones to watch are definitely the matches pitting the Philippines against Kazakhstan (the winner gets the last slot in the qualifying round), and the joust between old rivals China and Chinese Taipei.

[BIHAKUEN]UVシールド(UVShield)

>> 飲む日焼け止め！「UVシールド」を購入する