LAPU-LAPU City – The smallest man on the floor delivered the biggest performance in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Finals.
Guard Yuki Togashi dropped 22 points and came through with crucial baskets down the stretch to lead the Chiba Jets to a grind out 72-69 win over the Seoul SK Knights and win the $1 million prize money Sunday night at the jampacked Hoops Dome.
Togashi's free throws win it
His two free throws in the final 14 seconds proved to be the clinching baskets as the Knights missed a potential game-tying three pointer in the end.
The 5-foot-6 Togashi, team captain of the Japan national team, also had seven assists and hit four from beyond the arc to emerge as the MVP of the Final Four.
The capacity crowd serenaded him with chants of MVP! MVP! while he was taking the game-winning foul shots.
“This is incredible,” said the 30-year-old Togashi.
Togashi thanks the Filipino crowd
“Thank you guys, you’re amazing,” said the Japanese guard as he addressed the audience. “It was like a home game for us and we’re really glad to play in such an environment.”
Jameel Warney, the three-time Korean Basketball League (KBL) Foreign Most Valuable Player, also finished with 22 points for Seoul and could have won the MVP award had the Knights won the championship.
Warney, who stands 6-foot-8, added 17 rebounds and five assists.
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