Fan favorite Yuki Togashi leads Chiba Jets to EASL title in Cebu

Yuki Togashi of the Chiba Jets during the East Asia Super League Final in Cebu.–EASL PHOTO

LAPU-LAPU CITY—Yuki Togashi and Japan’s Chiba Jets completed a sweep of the East Asia Super League after edging out South Korea’s Seoul SK Knights, 72-69, in a thrilling final held before a big Sunday crowd at Hoops Dome here.

Togashi delivered 24 points and seven assists to cap off a performance that earned him Final Four Most Valuable Player honors as the B.League’s Jets ruled the continental league’s first attempt at a home-and-away season without a defeat.

Chiba also took home the top purse of $1 million (P55.58 million).

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The Japan national team star was once the main attraction, as evidenced by the “MVP” chants he got from the audience in a validation to his splendid play in the tournament and reputation as one of Asia’s top players.

He got help from import John Mooney and ex-San Miguel Beer reinforcement Ira Brown to propel Chiba past a Seoul side that made the title clash a back-and-forth affair.

Seoul trailed 70-66 but Youngjun An fired a three to cut the margin to a point, but missed a go-ahead attempt from the spot after a stop on the other end that resulted in a shot clock.

The Knights fouled Togashi, who made both foul shots, but import Jameel Warney couldn’t make a three from the top of the key which could have forced overtime.

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Warney had 22 points, 17 rebounds and five assists for the Knights, who settled for the runner-up finish and $500,000 (P27.79 million).

Chiba won all six games in Group A, including wins against PBA representative TNT in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and in Japan to qualify as the only Final Four entrant from the B.League.

The Jets defeated the New Taipei Kings, 92-84, in the semifinals held Friday despite arriving a day earlier due to a midweek domestic league match.

The scores:

CHIBA 72—Togashi 24, Mooney 16, Brown 12, Cooks 6, Kanechika 5, Ogawa 5, Hara 4, Arao 0, Nishimura 0.

SEOUL 69—Warney 22, An 18, Williams 15, Oh 9, Chanyong 3, Choi 2, Heo 0.

Quarters: 21-16, 37-34, 51-54, 72-69.