JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) – Lebanon produced a commanding performance when it mattered most, defeating Japan 97-73 in the Qualification to Quarter-Finals of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 at King Abdullah Sports City on Tuesday night.
Last edition’s runners-up came into the Final Phase with little margin for error, but they wasted no time asserting themselves. Matching Japan’s early fire before surging ahead, Lebanon used balanced scoring, defensive pressure and dominance inside to pull away for good. The win sends them into Thursday’s Quarter-Finals against New Zealand, while Japan’s campaign ends in disappointment.
Dedric Lawson led the charge with a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double. He also added 3 assists, 2 steals and a block, controlling the paint on both ends. Youssef Khayat added 14 points and 8 boards, while Sergio El Darwich finished with 12 points, 5 steals and a pair of three-pointers. He set the tournament’s new single-game high for steals in just one half of play.
The opening quarter saw Japan find success through Hirotaka Yoshii’s drives and Joshua Hawkinson’s inside work, but Lebanon seized momentum midway through as El Darwich drilled back-to-back triples. Lawson and Khayat powered a 10-0 run that gave Lebanon a 19-12 lead, and although Japan trimmed it down, the Cedars remained ahead 23-19.
In the second frame, Lebanon tightened their grip. Hayk Gyokchyan struck from deep, Amir Saoud finished with craft around the rim and Karim Zeinoun’s transition bursts stretched the margin. Lawson’s post presence and steady scoring helped turn a four-point lead into a 53-41 halftime cushion. Japan’s offensive weapons, particularly Keisei Tominaga, were stifled. Tominaga managed just 2 points and two shot attempts by the break, while El Darwich’s defensive work continued to frustrate.
Lebanon came out of halftime intent on finishing the job. Mansour, Zeinoun and Lawson fueled a run that pushed the gap beyond 20, with Khayat’s emphatic slam off a turnover serving as a highlight. By the time Japan found a spark through Akira Jacobs’ fastbreak play and Tominaga’s trips to the line, the four-time FIBA Asia Cup finalists had the game under control at 81-64 entering the fourth.
Khayat’s turnaround jumper opened the final period, and while Yudai Baba tried to rally Japan with a late flurry, capped by free throws off an unsportsmanlike foul, Zeinoun’s backdoor finish and Lawson’s putback slam essentially shut the door. Lebanon’s composure in the closing minutes ensured there would be no Japanese rally.
The victory keeps Lebanon’s podium hopes alive as they prepare for a Quarter-Finals showdown with New Zealand. Japan, meanwhile, bow out at 2-2, missing out on back-to-back Quarter-Finals appearances again.
FIBA