LAPU-LAPU CITY – Yuki Togashi made a huge impression on Cebuano basketball fans, steering Chiba Jets to a 92-84 win over New Taipei Kings on Friday night at the Hoops Dome that led them to the 2024 EASL finals.
Togashi hits 28 points
The Japan national team star guard scored a game-high 28 points and made key plays that enabled the Jets to come from behind in the final minutes and clinch a finals berth where they will face the Seoul SK Knights in a one-game showdown.
The pint-sized guard drained a three to tie the game at 82 with 3:14 left in the fourth before Shuta Hara knocked down a go-ahead three with 2:19 to play in the contest.
Togashi made another lay-up to make it 87-82, then dished out a pass to Chiba import John Mooney with 45.5 seconds left to maintain a five-point gap for the Japan B.League side.
Chiba Jets stay unbeaten
With the nail-biting win, the Jets remained unbeaten in the EASL season, winning their seventh game entering the championship contest against the Knights, who beat Rhenz Abando and the Anyang Red Boosters, 94-79, in the other semifinal contest of the meet presented by Philippine Airlines, Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort, Titktok as official partners and Anta, McDonald’s, and Spalding as product endorsers.
Xavier Cooks had 24 points, 22 rebounds, and six blocks, while John Mooney had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Jets.
Chiba spoiled the effort of Joseph Lin, who stepped up in the absence of his injured brother and former NBA player Jeremy, hitting 21 points in the contest.
Former Bay Area Dragons cager Hayden Blankley had 17 points for the Kings.
The scores:
Chiba Jets 92 – Togashi 28, Cooks 24, Mooney 22, Hara 13, Brown 3, Ogawa 2, Nishimura 0, Kanechika 0, Okura 0, Arao 0.
New Taipei Kings 84 – Lin Jo. 21, Blankley 17, Yang 16, Daye 13, Davis 8, Manigault 7, Wang 2, Lee 0, Su 0, Lin C.P. 0.
Quarters: 32-25; 50-47; 66-67; 92-84.
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