WJBL Round 20: Toyota A. lose to Denso Iris

There were many interesting games last round. The round ended with defeat of the leader and derby games. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

Top ranked Toyota A. (17-3) recorded its third loss in Kariya on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Denso Iris (16-4) 76-66. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Toyota A.. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in West. Denso Iris made 27-of-30 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Toyota A. turnovers. 25 personal fouls committed by Toyota A. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was the former international center Maki Takada (183-89) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). The former international forward Sanae Motokawa (176-92) chipped in 16 points, 9 assists and 4 steals. The former international forward Moeko Nagaoka (182-93) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Denso Iris maintains second position in West with 16-4 record behind leader Toyota A. Toyota A. at the other side still keeps top place with three games lost.
Fourth-ranked Chanson V-M (7-9) made lots of trouble for first ranked Eneos S. (15-1) in Shizuoka. The visitors from Kashiwa managed to secure only one-point victory 70-69. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Chanson V-M. The former international Saori Miyazaki (167-95) saved the victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 assists. Sayaka Okamoto contributed with 19 points for the winners. Power forward Dayai Fatou (180-97) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds for Chanson V-M. Defending champion maintains first position in East with 15-1 record. Chanson V-M at the other side keeps the fourth place with nine games lost.
Sixth-ranked Yamanashi QB (1-19) made lots of trouble for fourth ranked Toyota B SR (8-12) in Aichi on Sunday. Toyota B SR managed to secure only two-point victory 62-60. However their fans expected easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of Yuki Kato who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 9 rebounds. Uchibori Murasaki responded with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Yamanashi QB's coach Yoshihiko Iyoda tried various players' combinations and tested in total thirteen players in this game, but that didn't help. Toyota B SR maintains fourth position in West with 8-12 record. Yamanashi QB lost eighteenth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 19 games lost.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Tokyo: Niigata R. (#6) and Haneda Vickies (#5). Haneda Vickies were smashed at home by 23 points 76-99 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. The winners were led by Ayumi Chiba who scored that evening 29 points. Niigata R. maintains sixth position in East with 1-15 record. Haneda Vickies at the other side keep the fifth place with 13 games lost.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hitachinaka. Second ranked Fujitsu RW faced one of their biggest challengers Hitachi Cougars. Guests from Kawasaki (12-4) defeated host Hitachi Cougars (10-6) 67-62. The best player for the winners was Mio Shinozaki who scored 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Fujitsu RW maintains second position in East with 12-4 record having nine points less than leader Toyota A. Loser Hitachi Cougars keep the third place with six games lost.

In the last game of round 20 In West Aishin AW was crushed by Mitsubishi K. in Nagoya 74-54.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. LBM Management is a full service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working in more that 20 countries. Agency LBM is animated by agents having official FIBA licenses.

Group East

Haneda Vickies - Niigata R. 76-99

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Tokyo: Niigata R. (#6) and Haneda Vickies (#5). Haneda Vickies were smashed at home by 23 points 76-99 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. 27 personal fouls committed by Haneda Vickies helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The winners were led by point guard Ayumi Chiba (167-96) who scored that evening 29 points and center Raw Yoshinro (187-95) supported her with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Four Niigata R. players scored in double figures. Even 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by swingman Ogasawara Mina (177-97) did not help to save the game for Haneda Vickies. Forward Monique Aymelek (174-97) added 22 points for the hosts. Niigata R. maintains sixth position in East with 1-15 record. Haneda Vickies at the other side keep the fifth place with 13 games lost.
Top scorers:
Niigata R.: C.Ayumi 29+4reb+2ast, Y.Raw 21+11reb, S.Tsuda 14+8reb+2ast, M.Miyasaka 13+3reb+7ast, K.Midori 7+4reb, E.Sugawara 4+2reb
Haneda Vickies: A.Monique 22+4reb, O.Mina 17+5reb+6ast, S.Akimoto 11+4reb+1ast, H.Makoto 7+9reb+1ast, O.Hana 6+3reb+1ast, H.Takano 5+1reb+7ast

Chanson V-M - Eneos S. 69-70

Fourth-ranked Chanson V-M (7-9) made lots of trouble for first ranked Eneos S. (15-1) in Shizuoka. The visitors from Kashiwa managed to secure only one-point victory 70-69. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Chanson V-M. The former international Saori Miyazaki (167-95) saved the victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 assists. Guard Sayaka Okamoto (161-91) contributed with 19 points for the winners. Power forward Dayai Fatou (180-97) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds and swingman Mai Yoshida (175-98) added 14 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Chanson V-M. Defending champion maintains first position in East with 15-1 record. Chanson V-M at the other side keeps the fourth place with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
Eneos S.: S.Okamoto 19+4reb, S.Hayashi 14+5reb+1ast, S.Miyazaki 14+3reb+10ast, Y.Nakamura 8+9reb+2ast, A.Ishihara 7+6reb, T.Nakada 6+9reb+1ast
Chanson V-M: F.Dayai 19+13reb+3ast, Y.Mai 14+8reb+2ast, S.Yurika 13+5reb+1ast, H.Mizuno 7+9reb+1ast, Y.Sakata 7+1reb+1ast, S.Noguchi 6

Hitachi Cougars - Fujitsu RW 62-67

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hitachinaka. Second ranked Fujitsu RW faced one of their biggest challengers Hitachi Cougars. Guests from Kawasaki (12-4) defeated host Hitachi Cougars (10-6) 67-62. Fujitsu RW made 17-of-18 free shots (94.4 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was the former international point guard Mio Shinozaki (167-91) who scored 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. International point guard Rui Machida (162-93) chipped in 11 points and 7 rebounds. The former international power forward Chika Suzuki (183-93) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds and the former international center Rika Tanimura (185-93) added 11 points and 15 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Fujitsu RW maintains second position in East with 12-4 record having nine points less than leader Toyota A. Loser Hitachi Cougars keep the third place with six games lost.
Top scorers:
Fujitsu RW: C.Uchino 17+3reb+1ast, M.Shinozaki 15+5reb+6ast, R.Machida 11+7reb+3ast, U.Akina 8+8reb, M.Okoye 7+5reb+1ast, T.Nichika 5+2reb+1ast
Hitachi Cougars: C.Suzuki 16+11reb+3ast, Y.Kitamura 14+3reb+4ast, R.Tanimura 11+15reb+3ast, A.Hoshi 8+1reb+1ast, A.Tsurumi 6+1reb, N.Sogabe 5+5reb+1ast

Group West

Toyota B SR - Yamanashi QB 62-60

Sixth-ranked Yamanashi QB (1-19) made lots of trouble for fourth ranked Toyota B SR (8-12) in Aichi on Sunday. Toyota B SR managed to secure only two-point victory 62-60. However their fans expected easier game. Strangely Yamanashi QB outrebounded Toyota B SR 53-38 including a 24-12 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Yuki Kato (179-97) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 9 rebounds and forward Saki Iijima (172-92) who added 15 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Guard Uchibori Murasaki (165-94) responded with 18 points and 7 rebounds and power forward Airi Tomita (183-97) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 15 rebounds. Yamanashi QB's coach Yoshihiko Iyoda tried various players' combinations and tested in total thirteen players in this game, but that didn't help. Toyota B SR maintains fourth position in West with 8-12 record. Yamanashi QB lost eighteenth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 19 games lost.
Top scorers:
Toyota B SR: Y.Kato 24+9reb+2ast, S.Iijima 15+6reb+2ast, H.Asuka 9+2reb+2ast, O.Shin 7+11reb+2ast, S.Nomachi 5+5reb+3ast, M.Sakamoto 2+2reb+3ast
Yamanashi QB: U.Murasaki 18+7reb+2ast, W.Aimi 13+6reb+6ast, T.Airi 11+15reb+1ast, M.Mino 9+7reb+4ast, N.Mizuno 4+3reb+4ast, S.Seyama 2+1reb

Mitsubishi K. - Aishin AW 74-54

There was no surprise in Nagoya where 5th ranked Aishin AW (3-17) was crushed by third ranked Mitsubishi K. (15-5) 74-54 on Sunday. Mitsubishi K. dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Aishin AW's 20. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Aishin AW's players. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Nemoto Haruno (176-95) who scored 21 points and 9 rebounds. The former international swingman Aya Watanabe (169-92) chipped in 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Mitsubishi K. players scored in double figures. Point guard Chinatsu Umeki (168-0) produced 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and international Kiho Miyashita (178-98) added 10 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Mitsubishi K. have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain third position in West with 15-5 record having just two points less than leader Toyota A. Aishin AW lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 17 games lost.
Top scorers:
Mitsubishi K.: N.Haruno 21+9reb+3ast, A.Watanabe 18+7reb+5ast, R.Nishioka 12+9reb, Y.Kosuge 11+9reb+2ast, C.Sakuragi 10+3reb+5ast, M.Kawai 2+2reb+10ast
Aishin AW: U.Chinatsu 15+7reb+4ast, K.Yonetani 11+2reb+1ast, K.Miyashita 10+5reb+1ast, R.Kato 8+6reb, U.Misa 3+2reb+4ast, H.Takahara 3+3reb

Denso Iris - Toyota A. 76-66

Top ranked Toyota A. (17-3) recorded its third loss in Kariya on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Denso Iris (16-4) 76-66. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Toyota A.. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in West. Denso Iris made 27-of-30 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Toyota A. turnovers. 25 personal fouls committed by Toyota A. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was the former international center Maki Takada (183-89) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). The former international forward Sanae Motokawa (176-92) chipped in 16 points, 9 assists and 4 steals. The former international forward Moeko Nagaoka (182-93) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international center Stephanie Mawuli (181-98) added 18 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Denso Iris maintains second position in West with 16-4 record behind leader Toyota A. Toyota A. at the other side still keeps top place with three games lost.
Top scorers:
Denso Iris: M.Takada 28+12reb+3ast, S.Motokawa 16+1reb+9ast, M.Inai 8+1reb+6ast, S.Akaho 8+5reb, A.Himawari 8+3reb+1ast, H.Shinohara 4+1reb
Toyota A.: S.Mawuli 18+6reb+3ast, M.Nagaoka 15+10reb+4ast, Y.Shiori 13+3reb+3ast, M.Minobo 7+2reb+1ast, S.Sylla 6+5reb+1ast, M.Yamamoto 4+2reb



Tags : MAKI TAKADA, DENSO IRIS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL