EASL: Japan star Togashi relishing Filipino fans’ support in Cebu

Chiba Jets’ Yuki Togashi during the EASL Final Four in Cebu.–EASL PHOTO

LAPU-LAPU CITY—Yuki Togashi welcomed the warm reception he has received from Filipino fans during his stellar play that propelled Japan’s Chiba Jets to a tough Final Four victory over the New Taipei Kings in the East Asia Super League here.

And Togashi looks forward to the same atmosphere Sunday when the Jets take on the Seoul SK Knights in Sunday’s final inside this city’s Hoops Dome, with the shot of sweep of the EASL season and the top purse of $1 million.

“I really enjoyed playing in front of fans cheering and supporting me with each play, so I’m really looking forward to once again play in front of Filipino fans,” Togashi said through an interpreter after his 28-point, five-assist show in Japanese club’s 92-84 win over their Taiwanese counterparts.

Togashi’s performance which included some fancy moves to set up assists or scoring baskets allowed him to end the night as the man of the hour, with most fans expected to see former NBA player Jeremy Lin suit up for New Taipei.

Chiba Jets’ Yuki Togashi–EASL PHOTO

Lin was left out of the Kings’ active roster for the semifinal match after being bothered by a foot injury since late January.

His brother Joseph, however, got a big applause as well by hitting 21 points as New Taipei even led in the fourth.

But Chiba ended up getting the victory, with the Japan national team star scoring most of the Jets’ final points of the competitive contest.

“When we knew that we would meet the New Taipei Kings in the semifinals, we were looking forward to matching up with Jeremy Lin,” Togashi said.

“But unfortunately, he didn’t play and matching up with his little brother was exciting. We knew he was talented, but it was a really good motivation and I really enjoyed it,” he added.

Chiba is again favored to win against Seoul, which in the other semifinal eliminated the Rhenz Abando-powered and fellow Korean Basketball League side Anyang Jung Kwan Jang.