Japan head coach Julio Lamas gave his players credit for performing well for 35 minutes of the game but said that the remaining five cost his team in a 90-84 loss to China in their FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in the Philippines on Saturday.
Japan had an 80-73 lead with six and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter but struggled from there against China's zone defense allowing the East Asian rivals to enjoy a 17-4 run to close out the game.
Three days after a 66-57 loss, Japan competed much better with their own rhythm against the same opponents. The team was hot from behind the arc, shooting 10-for-20 in the first half yet made only four in the latter.