Dubai: Thailand and Japan were the only two teams going into the semi-finals with an unbeaten record at the end of qualifying at the Eighth Fazza International Basketball Tournament being held at the Al Ahli Club’s indoor hall.

Japan rounded off their perfect record with a 67-48 win over the Philippines, while Thailand asserted their supremacy with a clinical 75-35 victory against winless Kuwait in their group B encounter.

The two matches were a total contrast by way of results, with Japan battling the Philippines till the very end, while Thailand took total control in their assertive win over Kuwait to make the Gulf nation the only team without a win.

Kazuyuki Kyoya’s side established a nine-point advantage (13-4) initially and they stretched their buffer to 12 points (28-16) by the midway stage.

That Japan led by 18 points by the end of the third quarter (46-28) and 19 at the final buzzer (67-48) is testament to the Philippines’ increasing influence in what coach Vernon Perea later hailed as their best display of the competition so far.

In another match, Great Britain broke down Saudi Arabia for a 43-28 win. Like the Japanese, the British contingent kept it tight at the back for the opening ten minutes and reaped the rewards for it with a 19-4 lead from the first quarter.

Saudi Arabia bravely rallied thereafter with a fair few three pointers to claw the deficit back to eight (28-20) at the halfway point, but their shot-shyness soon returned and stayed the course. They only scored eight more points in total — two of which came in a fourth quarter that only saw six scored overall as Great Britain mustered a paltry four at the other end.

Held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the fifth and final day of play-off action will be held at 8pm on Thursday.

RESULTS

Group A: Japan x Morocco 68-51, UAE x Philippines 64-58, Japan x UAE 67-46, Morocco x Philippines 81-44, Japan x Philippines 67-48, Morocco x UAE 65-34.

Group B: Thailand x Great Britain 54-51; Saudi Arabia x Kuwait 56-50, Great Britain x Kuwait 68-36, Thailand x Saudi Arabia 61-49, Great Britain x Saudi Arabia 43-28, Thailand x Kuwait 75-35.