Saturday's first bj-league semifinal contest provides a classic storybook plot: the two-time reigning champions vs. the hot upstart team.
The Osaka Evessa (31-13) face the Rizing Fukuoka (21-24) for the right to represent the Western Conference in Sunday's title contest against the Tokyo Apache-Sendai 89ers winner. Tipoff is 2:30 p.m.
Fukuoka picked up two victories in six games against the Evessa in the regular season.