The Kyoto Hannaryz, Shiga Lakestars, Akita Northern Happinets and Niigata Albirex BB have all advanced to the bj-league's conference semifinal round, and now shift their attention to their next opponents.
The Shimane Susanoo Magic, Rizing Fukuoka, Sendai 89ers and Toyama Grouses, meanwhile, are left to ponder what went wrong in the final day of their respective playoff series on Sunday.
Eight teams remain in the hunt for the 2011-12 championship, including the Eastern Conference's Nos. 1 and 2 seeds (Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix and Yokohama B-Corsairs) and the Western Conference's top two (Ryukyu Golden Kings and Osaka Evessa).