Not long after the hard-fought battle wrapped up, Shinsuke Kashiwagi choked back with tears on the floor in front of the jam-packed 2,700 spectators.

"At the moment the game was over, I was so pleased," the 26-year-old Kashiwagi said shyly after his Aisin Sea Horses defeated the defending All-Japan Championship (Emperor's Cup) king Toyota Alvark 85-82 on Monday.

"I don't know if I call it responsibility, but I've been asked to be the starter (at point guard) in the last one year, and we've now won this Emperor's Cup. . . .I think it was tears that came from relief."