Underdog Japan played toe to toe with higher seeded Philippines but were short due to early penalty in the fourth quarter as the Gilas men started the second round of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship with a win, 73-66, Sunday at Changsa.

Hobbled with a bad left ankle, naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche carried his team in the fourth quarter, scoring ten of his game high 18 points.

Exploiting Japan’s penalty status, the Philippines attacked the rim and gathered free throw chances as Ranidel de Ocampo and Calvin Abueva swished their freebies into the last seconds of the game.

It was not an easy win though for the Philippines as Japan shot accurately from the perimeter, with captain Ryumo Ono scoring all of his nine points in the second quarter and Makoto Heijima shooting baskets after baskets for majority of the game.

The Philippines played much better in the third quarter, when Blatche was benched due to an apparent sprain in the first half, as Terrence Romeo fired 10 quick points to stymie Japan. Gilas led, 54-46, entering the final period.

With Blatche returning in the fourth quarter, Japan exploited his physical weakness as Hiejima and Joji Takeuchi attacked the basket by playing a solid two-man game.

The score was tied at 64 with triples from Takeuchi and Ryoma Hashimoto but de Ocampo answered back with a three of his own at the 2:29 mark.

Fielding in defenders Marc Pingris and Matthew Ganuelas thereafter, the Philippines shut down Japan and attacked their vulnerable defense, gaining free throw shots and breaking Japan’s momentum in the process.

Blatche led the Philippines with 18 points and ten rebounds in 22 minutes while de Ocampo added 13 points. Romeo and Jayson Castro William had 12 points apiece to lift Gilas to second place in Group E at 2-1.

Japan, led by Hiejima with 17 points and Takeuchi with 13 points and 11 rebounds, drop to 1-2 and are at high risk of dropping out from the tournament.

The Philippines will face top seed Iran Monday afternoon.