Photo by NUKI SABIO/PBA IMAGE
MANILA, Philippines — After cruising past Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei got its hands full against Japan Tuesday afternoon.
The Taiwanese needed to bank on the heroics of star guard Lin Chih Chieh late to hold off the gritty Japanese side, 79-76, in the second round of the 27th FIBA Asia men’s Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 31-year-old Lin delivered the dagger on a three-point play that pushed Taipei ‘s lead to four, 77-73, with only 44.9 ticks left before Tseng Wen Ting made two free throws to seal their team’s fourth win in four tries to lead Group E.
Lin finished with 16 points while Tseng came through with 19 points, including a bail out triple from the top of the key, that gave Taiwan a 74-69 cushion with 3:22 remaining.
Ryota Sakurai moved Japan, which disputes the final quarterfinals slot in Group E with Jordan Wednesday, to within one, 73-74, on a baseline jumper with 1:05 left before Lin’s fearless drive and the bonus free throw.
Kosuke Takeuchi led the Japanese, who even took a six-point lead in the third quarter, with 17 points while JR Sakuragi added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Taipei still took a 61-59 edge heading into the fourth period despite having no field goals in the first five minutes of the third quarter.