Hong Kong, Japan set up tiff for 9th place

LAM Man Chun of Hong Kong and SAKURAGI Jr. of Japan PBA IMAGES/NUKI SABIO

MANILA, Philippines — Hong Kong and Japan triumphed in their respective classification matches on Fridcay to arrange a meeting for ninth place in the 27th FIBA Asia men’s championships.

Hong Kong, which got a bye to the second round, notched its first win of the tournament after fending off Bahrain, 87-79, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Half-Canadian center Duncan Reid led the former British Colony with 20 points and seven rebounds while Shing Yee Fong added 13 points and collared 12 boards.

The Japanese, meanwhile, came back from 17 points down to frustrate India, 73-64.

Five players scored in double digits for Japan with Naoto Tsuji and Kosuke Takeuchi leading with 12 markers apiece.

Japan and Hong Kong clash at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday while Bahrain and India are left to fight for the 11th spot at 10:30 a.m.