TIANJIN (FIBA Asia Championship) - Anton Ponomarev’s game-high 22 points helped last edition’s semfinalists Kazakhstan rally in the final five minutes and beat Japan 77-73 in the ninth place play-off on Saturday.

Japan, who fell out of the quarterfinals for the first time, thus finished their lowest in the in FIBA Asia Championship history.

Ponomarev had only four points in the first half, but added 10 more in the third quarter.

Dmitry Gavrilov contributed 17 points.

Kei Igarashi led the scoring for the Japanese with 20 points.

Kosuke Takeuchi contributed 18 points and Takehiko Orimo chipped in with 15.

FIBA Asia

ll Watch highlights of the game at FIBATV.com now - click here