Jordan ousts Japan for last quarters berth

MANILA, Philippines - Jordan took the last quarterfinals slot after dismantling Japan, 65-56, in the final day of the secondary round of the 27th FIBA Asia championships at MOA Arena in Pasay city Wednesday.

Naturalized import Jimmy Baxter finished with 16 markers to lead the Jordanians, who finished the second round with a 2-3 record that is good enough for fourth place in Group E.

In the 2011 edition of the FIBA Asia qualifiers, Jordan was in the same position and will once again face Asian powerhouse and Group F leader Iran in the tournament’s knockout stage.

Jordan sprung an upset win in the quarterfinals then shot themselves to a runner-up finish. But they are hard-pressed to repeat the feat due to missing the services of key players Sam Dahgles, Rasheim Wright and Zaid Abbas.

Meanwhile, Japan will be relegated to the classification round of the tournament after a disappointing campaign. The Japanese posted their lone win in the first round against Hong Kong.