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| Australia will meet the Philippines in an international game for the first time since that big commotion last month. FIBA |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--An interesting semifinal will ensue in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship after Australia mauled Japan, 88-52, in the quarterfinal round of the tournament at the Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Thursday night.
The Teen Boomers, who also booked a spot in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, slowly but surely pulled away from the Teen Akatsuki 5 to pull off the rout.
Kyle Bowen (22 markers and 13 rebounds) and Samson Froling (12 points and 11 rebounds) each tallied double-doubles for Australia, which will take on Batang Gilas in the semifinals on Friday night.
The showdown will be the first time the Philippines and Australia will collide in a FIBA-sanctioned match since the infamous brawl that ensued between their senior counterparts in Bocaue on July 2.
[Related Story: Australia, Gilas engage in free-for-all in crucial WCQ match]
Keisei Tominaga dropped 16 markers, one dime, and two steals for Japan.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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