Despite a spirited comeback, the Tokyo Apache came up short in the fourth quarter against the Osaka Evessa on Wednesday night at Yoyogi National Gymnasium, losing 78-69 in a game that featured as much verve as flash and as many miscues as brilliant moves.
The three-time defending bj-league champions made six free throws in the final 18.8 seconds to seal the win.
It was the first meeting between the two teams since last season's title game in May, when the Evessa defeated the Apache 66-56 to win their third straight title.