BANGKOK - Defending champion strengthened the defense in the second and third quarter to down Chinese Taipei 85-63 in their fourth group match of the 25th FIBA Asia Women's Basketball Championship here on Wednesday and still keeps the hope for the top place in group.

Zhao Shuang of the China team is double teamed by Chinese Taipei players during their group match of the 25th FIBA Asia Women's Basketball Championship in Bangkok, Oct 30.  [Photo/CFP]

Chinse Taipei only scored seven and ten points apiece in the second and third quarter, which left a margin of 28 points before the final period. China went on to improve their result to 3-1 before Thursday's match against unbeaten Japan.

"The Chinse-style fast break costs us a lost," said Hung Ling- Yao, Chinese Taipei's head coach. "China's tall players rushed into the zone and used their size advantage to score. We have to stop that."

"We lost our rhythm in the second and third quarter. I think that was the main reason why we lost today," added Hung.

Veteran center Chen Nan scored nine of her match-high 17 points in the first quarter for China. Gao Song finished with a double- double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. The whole Chinese team dished out 16 assists, and outscored Chinses Taipei 58-24 in the paint.

The victory keeps China's hope of finishing the group with top place alive. If China managed to beat Japan in Thursday's match with five points or more, they will top the group with score advantage as they lost to South Korea 70-72 and Japan edged South Korea 78-71.

"Tomorrow's match will be very competitive," said Thomas Maher, China's head coach. "Japan's point guard Asami Yoshida is the most dynamic player on the court. And now they have a young center, Ramu Tokashiki, who is becoming a big star. Her offensive rebound is unbelievable."

"Michiko Miyamoto is a great three-pointer shooter. Those are all big problems for us. And of course Yuko Oga. She's always the heart and solid of the Japanese team and she likes big games," added Maher.

In Wednesday's other matches, Japan almost whitewashed India with 81-40 and South Korea stunned Kazakhstan at 92-56.

While China will play against Japan, South Korea will face the challenge from Chinese Taipei and both winless India and Kazakhstan will fight for a victory on Thursday.