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KOMPAS.com – Jakarta as the host city for the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup gave a good impression to the star of the Japanese basketball team who played in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors, Yuta Watanabe.
Yuta Watanabe became one of the key players behind Japan’s success in advancing to the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup.
Yuta Watanabe has always played in three group stage matches and one play-off match leading up to the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup quarter-finals.
The 27-year-old small forward also became Japan’s best player in terms of scoring points with a record of 15.3 points per game.
One of Yuta Watanabe’s best performances in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup was when he scored 21 points in Japan’s 100-68 win over Kazakhstan in the first game of Group C.
Also read: FIBA Asia Cup 2022 Semifinalists List: China Escapes, Who Follows Lebanon and Jordan?
The presence of Yuta Watanabe also made the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup held in Jakarta even more lively.
Because, Indonesian basketball fans can witness the action of one of the Asian players who competed in the world’s best basketball competition, the NBA.
Off the pitch, Yuta Watanabe is also a friendly person to fans.
Yuta didn’t hesitate to take the time to sign autographs for fans, even when it was difficult for him to walk because of an ankle injury.
Also read: FIBA Asia Cup 2022 results: Fight against Indonesia in the Playoff Falls, Jordan Vs Lebanon in the Semifinals
For Yuta, this is his first opportunity to come to Jakarta. The 206 cm tall player admitted that he really enjoyed his days in the capital city.
“This (Jakarta) is a beautiful city. I enjoy it. My teammates are the same. I like being in the early stages,” Yuta said in an interview with Perbasi.
Yuta added that the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia, went well.
Yuta praised the facilities provided by the organizers, from the hotel where the team stayed to the food.
Also read: Derrick Michael Xzavierro, The Future of Indonesian Basketball
“The implementing committee is quite good at handling event this. From scheduling and other things,” said Yuta.
“The food at the hotel is delicious. Our hotel is also close to a mall, so we can find food there. However, the food at the hotel is also good,” said Yuta Watanabe.
Meanwhile, Japan advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 after beating the Philippines 102-81 in the semifinals play-off.
Furthermore, in the quarter-finals of the FIBA Asia Cup 2022, Yuta Watanabe et al will face the defending champion Australia.
The Australia vs Japan match in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup quarter-finals will be held at Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, on Thursday (21/7/2022) at 17.30 WIB.
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