The Philippines held off Japan in the second semifinal of the FIBA Asia Championship on Friday, riding a hot-shooting fourth period to advance to the final with an 81-70 win.
The 11-point final margin did not reflect the closeness of the game, as Japan stayed within reach throughout the first three quarters, but the Philippines pulled ahead with better long-range shooting and outscored Japan 27-16 in the final quarter for the win.
U.S.-born power forward Andray Blatche led the Philippines with 22 points and 13 rebounds, but it was Jayson William (20 points, seven assists) and Donaldo Hontiveros (18 points) who proved the difference-makers, combining to shoot 10-for-18 from the 3-point arc, ultimately running the Japanese defense ragged as it tried to counter the Philippines' inside-outside threat.