The Tokyo Apache's remarkable 2007-08 turnaround catapulted the team into the bj-league playoff semifinals. And a gritty, mettle-revealing performance on Saturday night pushed the team into the championship game against the Osaka Evessa.
The Apache prevailed 88-86 against the Sendai 89ers, the Eastern Conference regular-season champion, and earned a date against the league's two-time defending champions.
"For me, it's really special because last year we had a difficult year," Apache coach Joe Bryant said seconds after commending both groups of fans for their support.