PHL downs Japan, to play for 5th place in Asian Games basketball

The Philippines bounced back from heartbreak with a rousing 113-80 victory over Japan in the classification stages of the Asian Games basketball tournament on Tuesday in Jakarta, Indonesia.

With the win of coach Yeng Guiao and his squad, Team Pilipinas is assured of improving on its seventh-place finish in the 2014 Asian Games under coach Chot Reyes.

The Pinoy dribblers will battle the winner of the other classification matchup between Syria and Indonesia for fifth place in the competition.

After a tight first quarter, the Philippines broke away in the second period to take a 57-47 halftime lead over Japan.

The dam broke in the third quarter as the Filipinos used fresh legs to take advantage of the shorthanded Japan team, which saw four players sent home for soliciting sex at a red light district in Jakarta. The Philippines led by as much as 21 points before heading into the final period with an 82-64 advantage after a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Tenketsu Harimoto.

Christian Standhardinger led the Philippines with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson, who joined the team at the last minute after securing a clearance from the NBA, added 22 points, while Paul Lee chipped in 17. —JST, GMA News