WJBL Round 13 (Regular Season): Fujitsu RW edge Chanson V-M by three points

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

Third-ranked Chanson V-M (15-11) made lots of trouble for second ranked Fujitsu RW (20-6) in Shizuoka on Saturday. The visitors from Kawasaki managed to secure only three-point victory 69-66. However their fans expected easier game. Fujitsu RW looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The former international point guard Rui Machida (162-1993) fired a double-double by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists for the winners. Nigerian center Mfon Joshua (190-1999) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. The former international center Izoje Uche (188-2004) produced 17 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Chanson V-M's coach Fumikazu Nakagawa tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains second place with 20-6 record having just two points less than leader Denso I. Chanson V-M at the other side keeps the third position with 11 games lost. Fujitsu RW are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Hitachi Cougars (#8) in Hitachinaka in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Chanson V-M will play at home against Toyota BSR (#7) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Important game to mention about took place in Shizuoka. Third ranked Chanson V-M (15-11) saved a 1-point victory at home edging their biggest opponent Fujitsu RW (20-6) 78-77 on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international center Izoje Uche (188-2004) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Kuke Haruka contributed with 9 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Chanson V-M's coach Fumikazu Nakagawa allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The former international point guard Rui Machida (162-1993) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 8 rebounds and 14 assists for Fujitsu RW. Chanson V-M maintains third place with 15-11 record having seven points less than leader Denso I. Defending champion Fujitsu RW keeps the second position with six games lost. Chanson V-M will play against Toyota BSR (#7) in Aichi in the next round. Fujitsu RW will play on the road against Hitachi Cougars (#8) in Hitachinaka and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Leader Denso I. delivered the twenty second victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 7th ranked Toyota BSR (9-17) 75-67 in Kariya. Maki Takada stepped up and scored 23 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. At the losing side Jessica Wariebimo responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 17 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Denso I. (22-4) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place. Loser Toyota BSR keeps the seventh position with 17 games lost. Denso I. will meet Eneos S. (#4) in the next round. Toyota BSR will play against Chanson V-M in Shizuoka and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 13 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Aishin AW defeated Eneos S. in Anjo 76-64. Bottom-ranked Hitachi Cougars were beaten by Toyota A. at home 64-75. Aishin AW lost to Eneos S. on the opponent's court 51-62. Denso I. managed to outperform Toyota BSR in a home game 66-57. Toyota A. managed to beat Hitachi Cougars on the road 79-63.
The best stats of 13th round was 19 points and 4 assists by Shiori Yasuma of Toyota A..

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Eneos S. - Aishin AW 64-76

There was a minor upset in Kashiwa where 4th placed Eneos S. (13-12) was defeated by sixth ranked Aishin AW (10-17) 76-64 on Saturday. Aishin AW made 25-of-27 free shots (92.6 percent) during the game. Nanaka Yamaguchi (180-2001) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and the former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (193-1991) chipped in 8 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. At the losing side the former international Saori Miyazaki (167-1995) responded with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals and the former international guard Hoshi Hoshi (171-2000) scored 11 points. Four Eneos S. players scored in double figures. Eneos S.'s coach Timothy Lewis let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Aishin AW maintains sixth place with 10-17 record. Eneos S. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 12 games lost. Aishin AW will meet at home higher ranked Toyota A. (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Eneos S. will play against the league's leader Denso I. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Eneos S.: H.Hoshi 11+4reb+1ast, S.Miyazaki 11+8reb+7ast, F.Mako 10+5reb+1ast, S.Suzuoki 10+3reb, O.Mominoka 6+5ast, K.Umezawa 6+4reb
Aishin AW: N.Yamaguchi 16+10reb, A.Hirasue 14+1ast, K.Kondo 10+1ast, C.Sakai 9+3reb+4ast, S.Okamoto 9+5reb+1ast, R.Tokashiki 8+12reb+5ast

Chanson V-M - Fujitsu RW 66-69

Third-ranked Chanson V-M (15-11) made lots of trouble for second ranked Fujitsu RW (20-6) in Shizuoka on Saturday. The visitors from Kawasaki managed to secure only three-point victory 69-66. However their fans expected easier game. Fujitsu RW looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The former international point guard Rui Machida (162-1993) fired a double-double by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists for the winners. Nigerian center Mfon Joshua (190-1999) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. The former international center Izoje Uche (188-2004) produced 17 points and 8 rebounds and the former international point guard Kuke Haruka (166-1995) added 16 points and 7 assists respectively for lost side. Chanson V-M's coach Fumikazu Nakagawa tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains second place with 20-6 record having just two points less than leader Denso I. Chanson V-M at the other side keeps the third position with 11 games lost. Fujitsu RW are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Hitachi Cougars (#8) in Hitachinaka in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Chanson V-M will play at home against Toyota BSR (#7) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Chanson V-M: M.Yoshida 17+6reb+2ast, I.Uche 17+8reb+1ast, K.Haruka 16+2reb+7ast, M.Shirasaki 7+4reb+5ast, Y.Sato 4+5reb, H.Horiuchi 3+2reb
Fujitsu RW: M.Joshua 18+8reb, Y.Miyazawa 16+3reb+3ast, R.Machida 16+6reb+11ast, S.Yasue 6+1reb, R.Akagi 5+2reb+2ast, A.Uchio 4+6reb+4ast

Denso I. - Toyota BSR 75-67

Leader Denso I. delivered the twenty second victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 7th ranked Toyota BSR (9-17) 75-67 in Kariya. Denso I. made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. The former international center Maki Takada (185-1989) stepped up and scored 23 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and the former international point guard Mai Kawai (171-1996) chipped in 8 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the losing side center Jessica Wariebimo (188-2005) responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 17 rebounds and point guard Nanami Tsuno (158-2004) scored 16 points and 5 assists. Four Toyota BSR players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Denso I. (22-4) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place. Loser Toyota BSR keeps the seventh position with 17 games lost. Denso I. will meet Eneos S. (#4) in the next round. Toyota BSR will play against Chanson V-M in Shizuoka and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyota BSR: N.Tsuno 16+3reb+5ast, J.Wariebimo 13+17reb+1ast, N.Todo 11+7reb+2ast, M.Inami 10+2reb+1ast, M.Sasaka 7+3reb, Y.Kitamura 4+2reb+2ast
Denso I.: M.Takada 23+9reb+1ast, N.Norika 14+3reb+2ast, A.Kimura 12+3reb+2ast, M.Kawai 8+5reb+6ast, C.Umeki 7+3reb, A.Himawari 7+4reb+1ast

Hitachi Cougars - Toyota A. 64-75

No shocking result in a game in Hitachinaka where fifth ranked Toyota A. (11-15) defeated bottom-ranked Hitachi Cougars (4-22) 75-64 on Saturday. The former international point guard Shiori Yasuma (161-1994) stepped up and scored 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and the former international point guard Mai Yamamoto (163-1999) chipped in 22 points. Four Toyota A. players scored in double figures. At the losing side Honoka Morioka (172-2004) responded with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Gambian center Aminata Faru (197-2004) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Hitachi Cougars' coach Hidenori Kashiwakura let to play thirteen players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Toyota A.. They maintain fifth place with 11-15 record. Loser Hitachi Cougars stay dead last with 22 lost games. Toyota A. will meet Aishin AW (#6) in the next round. Hitachi Cougars will play against the league's second-placed Fujitsu RW and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hitachi Cougars: A.Faru 13+5reb, M.Kubota 12+1ast, H.Morioka 11+6reb+6ast, R.Okuyama 7+9reb, Y.Nakano 7+1reb+1ast, M.Tateyama 6+2reb+3ast
Toyota A.: M.Yamamoto 22+2reb+2ast, S.Yasuma 14+5reb+7ast, M.Miura 11+2reb+1ast, A.Okonkwo 10+10reb, M.Okamoto 8+3reb+3ast, U.Tanaka 6+4reb

Eneos S. - Aishin AW 62-51

Rather expected game in Kashiwa where 6th ranked Aishin AW (10-17) was defeated by fourth ranked Eneos S. (13-12) 62-51 on Sunday. Center Okoe Mominoka (182-1999) stepped up and scored 14 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and the former international Saori Miyazaki (167-1995) chipped in 11 points and 4 assists. Eneos S.'s coach Timothy Lewis used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side the former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (193-1991) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds and Nanaka Yamaguchi (180-2001) scored 12 points and 7 rebounds. Eneos S. maintains fourth place with 13-12 record. Loser Aishin AW keeps the sixth position with 17 games lost. Eneos S. will meet at home league's leader Denso I. in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Aishin AW will play against Toyota A. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aishin AW: R.Tokashiki 15+14reb+1ast, N.Yamaguchi 12+7reb+1ast, A.Hirasue 11+1reb+1ast, S.Noguchi 4+2reb, S.Okamoto 4+3reb+3ast, C.Sakai 3+5reb+8ast
Eneos S.: O.Mominoka 14+7reb, H.Hoshi 11+5reb+2ast, S.Miyazaki 11+3reb+4ast, F.Mako 8+7reb+1ast, K.Tanaka 5+1reb+1ast, M.Nagaoka 4+7reb+2ast

Chanson V-M - Fujitsu RW 78-77

Important game to mention about took place in Shizuoka. Third ranked Chanson V-M (15-11) saved a 1-point victory at home edging their biggest opponent Fujitsu RW (20-6) 78-77 on Sunday evening. Chanson V-M outrebounded Fujitsu RW 42-28 including 27 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international center Izoje Uche (188-2004) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. The former international point guard Kuke Haruka (166-1995) contributed with 9 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Four Chanson V-M players scored in double figures. Chanson V-M's coach Fumikazu Nakagawa allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The former international point guard Rui Machida (162-1993) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 8 rebounds and 14 assists and the former international forward Yuki Miyazawa (183-1993, college: Queens, NY) added 20 points and 4 assists in the effort for Fujitsu RW. Chanson V-M maintains third place with 15-11 record having seven points less than leader Denso I. Defending champion Fujitsu RW keeps the second position with six games lost. Chanson V-M will play against Toyota BSR (#7) in Aichi in the next round. Fujitsu RW will play on the road against Hitachi Cougars (#8) in Hitachinaka and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Fujitsu RW: R.Machida 25+8reb+14ast, Y.Miyazawa 20+2reb+4ast, M.Joshua 10+6reb, R.Akagi 8+2reb, K.Miyashita 5+2reb+1ast, A.Uchio 4+5reb
Chanson V-M: I.Uche 20+13reb+4ast, Y.Sato 16+4reb+2ast, M.Shirasaki 13+1reb+1ast, M.Yoshida 11+6reb, K.Haruka 9+11reb+2ast, H.Horiuchi 9+2reb+4ast

Denso I. - Toyota BSR 66-57

Very predictable result in Kariya where first ranked Denso I. (22-4) beat 7th ranked Toyota BSR (9-17) 66-57 on Sunday. Strangely Toyota BSR outrebounded Denso I. 50-34 including a 23-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Denso I. especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.1 percentage. Point guard Ami Kimura (165-1999) stepped up and scored 17 points for the winners and the former international point guard Mai Kawai (171-1996) chipped in 14 points. At the losing side center Jessica Wariebimo (188-2005) responded with 9 points and 15 rebounds and Yuki Kitamura (173-1994) scored 12 points. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Denso I.. They maintain first place with 22-4 record. Loser Toyota BSR keeps the seventh position with 17 games lost. Denso I. will meet Eneos S. (#4) in the next round. Toyota BSR will play against Chanson V-M in Shizuoka and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyota BSR: Y.Kitamura 12+4reb+1ast, N.Todo 11+5reb+1ast, N.Tsuno 9+2reb+1ast, J.Wariebimo 9+15reb+1ast, M.Sasaka 7+7reb, M.Inami 5+3reb+1ast
Denso I.: A.Kimura 17+4reb, M.Kawai 14+1reb+3ast, M.Takahashi 11+3reb, M.Takada 8+3reb+2ast, N.Norika 5+2reb+1ast, S.Sylla 3+4reb

Hitachi Cougars - Toyota A. 63-79

Not a big story in a game in Hitachinaka where 8th ranked Hitachi Cougars (4-22) were defeated by fifth ranked Toyota A. (11-15) 79-63 on Sunday. Toyota A. forced 22 Hitachi Cougars turnovers. Strangely Hitachi Cougars outrebounded Toyota A. 37-25 including a 20-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international point guard Mai Yamamoto (163-1999) stepped up and scored 20 points for the winners and the former international point guard Shiori Yasuma (161-1994) chipped in 19 points and 4 assists. At the losing side forward Ririka Okuyama (180-2000) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and Honoka Morioka (172-2004) scored 13 points and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for Toyota A.. They maintain fifth place with 11-15 record. Loser Hitachi Cougars stay dead last with 22 lost games. Toyota A. will meet Aishin AW (#6) in the next round. Hitachi Cougars will play against the league's second-placed Fujitsu RW and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hitachi Cougars: R.Okuyama 19+11reb, M.Tateyama 14+2reb+2ast, H.Morioka 13+3reb+4ast, Y.Nakano 9+3reb+1ast, D.Malem-Doi 5+2reb+2ast, H.Aka 2
Toyota A.: M.Yamamoto 20+4reb+3ast, S.Yasuma 19+3reb+4ast, M.Miura 16+1reb, M.Okamoto 9+2reb+2ast, U.Tanaka 6+3reb, A.Okonkwo 5+9reb