2022 runner up Tokai U eliminated in World Basketball Series

TOKYO—One champion team got the boot early in the World University Basketball Series tournament here as National Chengchi University of Chinese Taipei eliminated the host country’s No. 1 team, Tokai University, 81-73, Friday at Yoyogi National Stadium gym here.

The Griffins got 18 points and 12 rebounds from Mouhamed Mbaye and twin digits from two others in bundling out the Seagulls, runners-up to Ateneo last year, and setting a KO match with fancied Radford University of the United States.

A US NCAA Division 1 team, the Highlanders flexed their muscles in scoring a 100-63 demolition of Korea University.

NCCU and Radford battle Saturday at 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, Hakuoh, which placed second to Tokai in their collegiate league here, showed no mercy in destroying Perbanas Institute of Indonesia, 97-49, priming up for their semifinal clash against the winner of the Ateneo-Sydney University clash to be played at 6:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. in Manila).

Ateneo coaching staff led by the decorated Tab Baldwin was able to scout Hakouh in the first three quarters, seeing how the Japanese built a 48-13 lead at the half and maintaining control despite dogged comeback attempts by the Indonesians.