LAPU-LAPU CITY — There was simply no stopping the Chiba Jets from bagging the East Asia Super League championship Sunday night behind a 72-69 thriller over the Seoul SK Knights in front of a jampacked crowd at the Hoops Dome.
Yuki Togashi had a game-high 22 points including two pressure-packed free throws in the final 14 seconds for the game-clincher as Jameel Warney missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the Knights’ final possession.
The 5-foot-6 captain of the Japan national team also hit four treys and had seven assists in the win worth $1 million for the Japan B. League ballclub which finished its campaign unbeaten in eight games.
“Hats off to the players, they deserved the championship,” said Chiba Jets coach John Patrick, “It was a dramatic, difficult game. We addressed our defense and Yuki took over at the end, and that has been the story of our season so far.”
“I couldn’t be prouder and I couldn’t be happier. I’m also glad to do this in Cebu, with so many friendly and passionate fans, great environment here, loud and high, and that’s what basketball is all about.”
The Knights took home $500,000 for finishing runner up in the five-month long, home-and-away season cagefest.
John Mooney also played big for the Jets with a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds, while naturalized player and former San Miguel import Ira Brown was the other Chiba player in double figures with 12 points.
The loss by the Knights spoiled the 22-point, 17-rebound, and five-assist effort of Warney, whose completed three-point play gave the Korean Basketball League side a 62-60 lead with 4:44 left in the tightly fought game.
But Togashi answered back with a huge three-pointer as the Jets took the lead for good, 63-62.
