Chiba Jets outlast SK Knights for EASL crown | ABS-CBN
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Chiba Jets outlast SK Knights for EASL crown
Chiba Jets outlast SK Knights for EASL crown
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 11, 2024 12:30 PM PHT
The Chiba Jets celebrate after winning the EASL championship at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, March 10, 2024. Handout/EASL.
The Chiba Jets celebrate after winning the EASL championship at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, March 10, 2024. Handout/EASL.MANILA -- The Chiba Jets capped a dominant campaign in the East Asia Super League (EASL) by beating the Seoul SK Knights in a thriller, 72-69, on Sunday night in front of a packed crowd at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
MANILA -- The Chiba Jets capped a dominant campaign in the East Asia Super League (EASL) by beating the Seoul SK Knights in a thriller, 72-69, on Sunday night in front of a packed crowd at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Japan national team star Yuki Togashi scored a game-high 22 points, and nailed two clutch free throws with 14 seconds left to help Chiba secure the EASL championship.
Japan national team star Yuki Togashi scored a game-high 22 points, and nailed two clutch free throws with 14 seconds left to help Chiba secure the EASL championship.
Jameel Warney had a chance to send the game into overtime, but his three-pointer was off the mark as time expired.
Jameel Warney had a chance to send the game into overtime, but his three-pointer was off the mark as time expired.
Togashi, who took home Most Valuable Player honors, made seven three-pointers and also had seven assists in the win worth $1-M for the B.League club.
Togashi, who took home Most Valuable Player honors, made seven three-pointers and also had seven assists in the win worth $1-M for the B.League club.
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Chiba won all eight of its games in the EASL home-and-away season.
Chiba won all eight of its games in the EASL home-and-away season.
"Hats off to the players, they deserved the championship," said Chiba Jets coach John Patrick. "It was a dramatic, difficult game. We addressed our defense and Yuki took over at the end, and that has been the story of our season so far."
"Hats off to the players, they deserved the championship," said Chiba Jets coach John Patrick. "It was a dramatic, difficult game. We addressed our defense and Yuki took over at the end, and that has been the story of our season so far."
"I couldn't be prouder and I couldn't be happier. I'm also glad to do this in Cebu, with so many friendly and passionate fans, great environment here, loud and high, and that's what basketball is all about," he added.
"I couldn't be prouder and I couldn't be happier. I'm also glad to do this in Cebu, with so many friendly and passionate fans, great environment here, loud and high, and that's what basketball is all about," he added.
The Knights took home $500,000 for finishing runner up in the five-month long, home-and-away season.
The Knights took home $500,000 for finishing runner up in the five-month long, home-and-away season.
John Mooney also played big for the Jets with a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds, while naturalized player and former San Miguel import Ira Brown was the other Chiba player in double figures with 12 points.
John Mooney also played big for the Jets with a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds, while naturalized player and former San Miguel import Ira Brown was the other Chiba player in double figures with 12 points.
The loss by the Knights spoiled the 22-point, 17-rebound, and five-assist effort of Warney, whose completed three-point play gave the Korean Basketball League (KBL) side a 62-60 lead with 4:44 left in the tightly-fought game.
The loss by the Knights spoiled the 22-point, 17-rebound, and five-assist effort of Warney, whose completed three-point play gave the Korean Basketball League (KBL) side a 62-60 lead with 4:44 left in the tightly-fought game.
But Togashi answered back with a huge three pointer as the Jets wrested the lead for good, 63-62.
But Togashi answered back with a huge three pointer as the Jets wrested the lead for good, 63-62.
The Knights threatened at 69-70 on a three-point shot by An Youngjun in the final 73 seconds, before Togashi knocked down two free throws to seal the deal.
The Knights threatened at 69-70 on a three-point shot by An Youngjun in the final 73 seconds, before Togashi knocked down two free throws to seal the deal.
Earlier, dethroned champion Anyang Jung Kwan Jang edged out New Taipei Kings in the battle for third place, 78-76, to pocket $250,000.
Earlier, dethroned champion Anyang Jung Kwan Jang edged out New Taipei Kings in the battle for third place, 78-76, to pocket $250,000.
Both Rhenz Abando (Anyang) and former NBA star Jeremy Lin (Taipei Kings) didn't suit up due to injuries.
Both Rhenz Abando (Anyang) and former NBA star Jeremy Lin (Taipei Kings) didn't suit up due to injuries.
The scores:
Third place
Anyang (78) -- Park 29, Carter 18, Jeong 11, Wilson 11, Bae 5, Choi 4, Jung 0, Kim 0, Lee 0.
Anyang (78) -- Park 29, Carter 18, Jeong 11, Wilson 11, Bae 5, Choi 4, Jung 0, Kim 0, Lee 0.
New Taipei (76) -- Manigault 18, Yang 15, Daye 15, Blankley 13, Davis 8, Lin 6, Lee 1, Wang 0, Su 0, Hung 0.
New Taipei (76) -- Manigault 18, Yang 15, Daye 15, Blankley 13, Davis 8, Lin 6, Lee 1, Wang 0, Su 0, Hung 0.
Quarterscores: 18-13; 44-33; 64-57; 78-76.
Quarterscores: 18-13; 44-33; 64-57; 78-76.
Finals
Chiba Jets (72) --Togashi 24, Mooney 16, Brown 12, Cooks 6, Kanechika 5, Ogawa 5, Hara 4, Arao 0, Nishimura 0.
Chiba Jets (72) --Togashi 24, Mooney 16, Brown 12, Cooks 6, Kanechika 5, Ogawa 5, Hara 4, Arao 0, Nishimura 0.
Seoul SK Knights (69) -- Warney 22, An 18, Williams 15, Oh 9, Chanyong 3, Choi 2, Heo 0, Yaung 0.
Seoul SK Knights (69) -- Warney 22, An 18, Williams 15, Oh 9, Chanyong 3, Choi 2, Heo 0, Yaung 0.
Quarterscores: 21-16; 37-34; 51-54; 72-69.
Quarterscores: 21-16; 37-34; 51-54; 72-69.
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