Destiny is decided in the last game. Akita Northern Happinets, 6th in the eastern area and 4th in the wildcard (WC), defeated San-en Neo-Phoenix, the lowest in the west area, 88-72, leaving the possibility of advancing to the championship (CS) for the first time. On this day, WC 2nd place Mikawa and 3rd place SR Shibuya lost the war. If Akita wins in the final round on the 8th and both teams lose in a row, their first CS appearance will be confirmed in the fifth season of B1 participation.

A three-point shot (3P) offensive of angry waves (Doto) blew away the unpleasant flow. In the second quarter (Q) of 15-22, with 8 minutes and 47 seconds remaining, a flowing pass was made from Sota Oura (24) to Hayato Kawashima (31) and Shigehiro Taguchi (32). At the end, when Taguchi succeeded in the team’s first 3P, Oura and Jordan Glynn (32) continued, and the situation reversed with 3 consecutive 3Ps. At the same 1 second, Taguchi received a foul during the 3P shoot motion, and the technical bench foul also overlapped, winning four free throws. They pulled apart in a “four-point play” that sank everything.

Akita is the league leader with a 3P success rate of 37.7% this season. In the 1st Q, no weapon was decided, and he was 11 points behind. Still, veteran Taguchi made a breakthrough in the second quarter and scored 17 points including three 3Ps. “We want to challenge ourselves to achieve a scenario where we will win two consecutive games (in San-en).” Kenzo Maeda, head coach (39), said, “It was difficult in 1Q, but the players picked up and fought with a strong feeling.” Akita makes a miracle in the last 40 minutes to advance to CS.