2018 B.League Playoffs Quarter Finals Report
An action-packed weekend in Japan saw the fates of many teams sealed, while for others their campaign for the 2017/18 B.League championship continues.
Yuta Tabuse for Tochigi Brex (L) faces Seahorses Mikawa's JR Sakuragi. Image: Kyodo/Japan Times
Championship Playoffs
Despite 14 points from Ryan Rossiter, Tochigi Brex came up short on offence, leaving the door open for Seahorses Mikawa. Kosuke Kanamaru had 26 points and Isaac Butts recorded a double-double of 14 points and 18 rebounds as Mikawa won the first game by fourteen points. In the reverse fixture, Jeffrey Gibbs had 23 points and 11 rebounds for Tochigi, who also saw good work from Shuhei Kitagawa and Seiji Ikragua off the bench. It was much tighter affair than game one, but a greater show on defence from Mikawa, as well as 21 points from Makoto Hiejima, Seahorses punched their semi final ticket with a conclusive win over the defending champions.
With 58 points in the paint and a huge defensive effort from Joji Takeuchi, who had ten rebounds and four blocks, Toyota Alvark easily won over Kyoto Hannaryz, despite them seeing 19 points and 8 boards from Julian Mavunga. Going into the second leg with a seven-point advantage, Toyota shared the ball well and saw great efforts from their bench - who contributed 44 of their total points - while Kyoto saw 18 points and rebounds from Marcus Dove. It wouldn't be enough to save Hannaryz, though. A comfortable sweep of the series saw Toyota advance to the semi finals.
Nick Fazekas had 30 points and 12 rebounds for the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, but their opponents Chiba Jets were on fire from long range, hitting 15 threes in the first game on their way to a 22-point victory. When the two met days later, Fazekas contributed and amazing 32 points and 12 total rebounds for Kawasaki, who also saw a similarly impressive all-around show from Josh Davis as they made up the difference at the end of game two. A tie-breaker was needed, and with their championship hopes on the line, Chiba ran out to an early lead, eventually making the semi finals topping Kawasaki by seven points. Michael Parker was the stand-out for the Jets in game two with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Takatoshi Furukawa led all scorers with 18 points for Ryuku Golden Kings in the first quarter-final game against the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins. Despite that, and a good show from Hilton Armstrong off the bench, it was the Nagoya who had control of the game. With a big team effort and superior close-range offence, Nagoya scored an important two-point win against Ryuku.
In the second matchup, Hilton Armstrong took care of Ryuku's defence while the team's offensive duo of Ryuichi Kishimoto and Hassan Martin hit from all distances on the floor, as Nagoya's Justin Burrell notched up a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Ryuku forced deciding extra time right at the end, in which they put the brakes on the Diamond Dolphins and eliminated them from contention, advancing to the next round by five points.
Relegation Playoffs
31 points and 16 rebounds from Josh Scott, as well as good team organisation and efforts on defence saw Shimane Susanoo Magic beat an otherwise solid Toyama Grouses by twenty points. On their home court, however, Toyama were dominant on offence: 22 points from Sam Willard and 40 from their bench players saw them equal Shimane's game one effort, forcing a decider which they won by five. Shimane tried their hardest, but they will be playing in the B2 League next season.
29 points and 8 assists from Yokohama B-Corsairs’ Takuya Kawamura, as well as Hasheem Thabeet leading their superior defence, would not be enough to overcome a solid show from Nishinomiya Storks' starting five, which included ten threes. Nishinomiya won game one by three, and in game two Draelon Burns scored 29 points for them, but Yokohama had control. Thabeet had 18 points and 9 rebounds off the bench to go with 64 from the B-Corsairs' staring five as they rescued themselves from relegation by 21-points in regulation and two in extra time.
B2 League Playoffs
Terrance Woodbury had 21 points for the Kumamoto Volters, who had the lead against top-seed Akita Northern Happinets down the stretch before getting into foul trouble. With 30 from Shigehiro Taguchi, Akita were able to turn the game around and win by four. In game two, everyone contributed as they ensured their place in the BLeague next season with a huge win over Kumamoto, 99-65. Daichi Taniguchi contributed a game-high 22 points off the bench for Akita.
Meanwhile, Fukuoka Rizing Zephyr trailed by one going into the fourth quarter against Fighting Eagles Nagoya, but outscoring them in the final stage of the game, as well as great defence throughout and 34 points and 11 rebounds from Eric Jacobsen, they gave themselves room to breathe, winning by eight. In the reverse fixture they dominated on both ends, with Josh Peppers scoring 28 points, which included four from three-point territory, on their way to a conclusive victory, 94-72 over Nagoya.
Akita and Fukuoka will then be taking the place of Shimane and Nishinomiya in next year's B.League, while Mikawa, Toyota, Chiba and Ryuku all take one step closer to the finals. Stick and stay with us for updates on the B.League playoffs, or you can visit the official B.League website (which is in Japanese) and read regular news and reports here.
