Since losing in the bj-league championship game last May to the Osaka Evessa, the Tokyo Apache have had one clear mission: earning a return ticket to the final.
The Apache took a big step toward reaching that goal on Saturday, turning up the offensive tempo and defensive intensity in the second half of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Ariake Colosseum en route to a 98-86 victory over the Sendai 89ers.
"Good to win the first one," Tokyo forward John Humphrey said. "The pressure was on us, now it's on them."