A sluggish offensive performance cost Japan in its first game in the final window of FIBA Asia Cup qualifying, a 66-57 loss to China on Wednesday at Angeles City Foundation Gym in Pampanga, Philippines.

The Akatsuki Five struggled to score and put up only 20 points in the first half, while China posted 32. Japan trailed by as many as 22 in the third quarter.

The Japanese offense finally began to click in the final quarter, as the team cut the deficit to six, but tt was too little, too late.