Japan’s national basketball team has secured its first-ever win at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in almost two decades. What happened: The East Asian team won 98-88 against Finland in Okinawa, Japan, on Sunday. This was Japan’s first-ever win against a European team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, as well as its first win at the FIBA Basketball World Cup since beating Panama in 2006.
PHILIPPINES World ranking: 40 World Cup appearances: 7 Best World Cup finish: 3rd (1954) Coach: Chot Reyes Players to watch: Jordan Clarkson, Kai Sotto Outlook: They'll try to set a World Cup attendance record on Friday in their first game, and Clarkson is already a fan favorite in the basketball-crazed Philippines. The odds are long, but Clarkson and Sotto are good enough to give the Philippines hope. ANGOLA World ranking: 41 World Cup appearances: 9 Best World Cup finish: 9th (2006) Coach: Josep Claros Players to watch: Bruno Fernando, Jilson Bango Outlook: Fernando, the Atlanta Hawks' big man, is the best player and best hope.