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Japan cagers upset China in Macau

Kei Igarashi had a game-high 19 points as Japan stunned China in the men's semifinals at the East Asian Games 68-60. China was hurt by the absence of star player Yi Jianlian, who got into foul trouble early and fouled out in the fourth quarter.

China tried to wear Japan down with man-to-man defense, but Japan managed to break the Chinese defense by scampering and passing well.

Japan was led by the tireless speedster Igarashi, who seemed to do everything. Other than his superb driving, he racked up two three pointers, five assists and three steals. Adding to Japan's offense was Tomoo Amino, who had 16 points on 47 percent shooting.

Yi, who scored 14, started the game aggressively, going strong to the basket for his first points. But the aggressiveness backfired as he ended up with an offensive foul and a holding foul in the first quarter.

China's tough guarding appeared to pay off early in the second quarter as Japan struggled to organize its offense, with the Chinese charging ahead 20-17. But Japan recovered, helped by a third foul by Yi, who was benched with about 2 1/2 minutes left in the first half.

China's offense seemed confused after Yi's departure and Japan stretched their lead to 35-27 at halftime.

Japan went on a shooting streak in the third quarter as Yi collected his fourth foul, a holding foul. He was benched again with about five minutes to go in the quarter. Japan led 54-43 after the quarter.

Yi rejoined in the fourth and gave the Chinese a spark, quickly scoring six points on a 3-of-4 shooting run, but his eagerness got the better of him as he was called for an offensive foul with more than five minutes to go. The crowd booed loudly when the foul was called.

The Yi-less Chinese squad still mounted a credible comeback, thanks to a scrappy Lu Xiaoming and good defensive boards. Lu picked up his game, driving to the basket, making a three-pointer and a steal, which China failed to convert on.

China pulled to 58-63 on a field goal by Ho Ke. Down 58-65, Meng Da scored to bring the deficit back to five, but Japanese sharpshooter Joji Takeuchi, who was 67 percent from beyond the arc, made a three to seal Japan's win.

"They played very well, but erratic. We were better today. That is very simple," Japanese coach Ladislav Janac said after the win, adding that good defense and rebounding were key to their victory.

The intensity of the game was several notches higher than China and Japan's first matchup during preliminary round play, which China won 70-57.

Taiwan was to play South Korea in the other semifinal.
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