Tokashiki and Hoshi scored a total of 53 goals, conceding only 18 goals in the second half, and won the 10th straight title
Nine-time Empress’s Cup winners ENEOS Sunflowers and W-League winners Toyota Antelopes clash in the Empress’s Cup semi-finals. Raimu Tokashiki showed a spectacular performance with 32 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocks, and ENEOS won the “Queen Showdown” 77-57.
At the start of the match, ENEOS induced two fouls in the first two and a half minutes from Shira Sohana Fatoja, the cornerstone of Toyota’s goal. Taking advantage of the advantage created by her stepping down to the bench, Tokashiki took the initiative in an inside attack and took the lead 24-13. However, in the second quarter, Fatoja also returned, and Toyota Motor Corporation, which regained the strength of defense, counterattacked. In contrast to the first quarter, when Kiho Miyashita struck a size mismatch, he allowed a reversal of 37-39 and finished the first half.
Even so, ENEOS induced the third individual foul from Fatoja early in the 3rd quarter and sent it to the bench, and Tokashiki again switched offense and defense to control the bottom of the goal. In addition, Anri Hoshi, who scored 21 points today, has a good chance of sinking from the outside and not letting the opponent narrow down the target. By defending, Toyota’s number of successful 3-point shots in this quarter was reduced to 0, and even though the opponent was overly focused on inside attacks, he managed to take rebounds and run in his favorite development, leading to a big quarter of 19-8. Had made. And even in the 4th quarter, ENEOS’s momentum did not stop, and they won the 10th consecutive victory with a comfortable game.
“If it’s one-on-one, I’m confident that I can definitely win, so I let him go.”
A key player in the win, Tokashiki literally dominated the game, scoring well over 30 points on 14-of-21 field goals. Here’s what he said about his own performance: “Usually, there would be two or three players behind the goal, but this time it was one-on-one. It was a lot of fun because I was able to play one-on-one.”
In this game, he had a good chance of sinking jump shots, but he mentioned that the players on the mark were not checked well, and he said that he was not just an inside player. “I’ve been practicing jump shots and 3-point shots more than you think, so if I let you go that far…. increase”
In addition to the offensive aspects of Tokashiki and Hoshi, the tenacity of the defense that did not lose concentration throughout the 40 minutes, such as keeping only 18 goals in the second half, was a big factor in winning. As a team leader, Tokashiki, who has always spoken out and encouraged his allies, is getting a response. “I’m quite picky, so I get angry if I don’t concentrate properly. In that sense, I think it was good that I was able to lead without wavering.”
Tomorrow is the final, which will be a feat of 10 consecutive victories if we finally win, but Tokashiki said, “Today was too good. I won’t be able to get this many shots tomorrow, and I don’t know if I can hit this many stars.” I’m switching my feelings. And he talks about his enthusiasm for the big game, saying that if he continues to play ENEOS basketball no matter what the situation, the results will naturally follow. “Once we cut off defense, breaks, and rebounds, what we need to do doesn’t change. I want to play the same basket no matter who plays, and I want to play a basket that I can definitely win.”
As Tokashiki says, in the final, the opponent’s thorough mark may not be seen like today’s rampage. However, there is no doubt that Tokashiki’s hard work, which is the absolute cornerstone of offense and defense, is indispensable for ENEOS’ victory.