HAMAMATSU, Shizuoka Pref. — There was no upset of epic proportions on Sunday at Hamamatsu Arena.
Instead, the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix relied on their strong veterans and steady role players to direct them to a 90-80 win over the underdog Tokyo Apache in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. With the series sweep, coach Kazuo Nakamura's team secured its spot in the bj-league's Final Four at Ariake Colosseum.
Center Dzaflo Larkai, who joined the team in February and made a preposterously impressive 70 percent of his two-points shots in 22 regular-season games, scored a game-high 21 points a day after playing a quiet role (two points) in the Phoenix's 38-point victory. He had all of his points in the second half in the rematch and made 9 of 13 shots from the field to go along with 12 rebounds and five assists.