Game Notes: Final Four Semifinals – Chiba Jets (6-0) vs. New Taipei Kings (4-2)

March 5, 2024

5 mins

Game Notes: Final Four Semifinals – Chiba Jets (6-0) vs. New Taipei Kings (4-2)

Written by EASL

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Chiba Jets look to extend undefeated season

‍March 8, 2024 – Hoops Dome, Cebu

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Storylines

Will Chiba remain undefeated?

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Expectations are sky-high for the Chiba Jets. They are the only undefeated EASL team (6-0) and are currently 27-14 in the B. LEAGUE (third in the East Division). They have lost only one B.LEAGUE game in 2024.

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Chiba has defeated their EASL opponents by 96 points this season, the highest overall points margin in the league.

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Led by Japanese National Team Captain Yuki Togashi, who is averaging 17.6 points this EASL season, the Jets will be regarded by many as the favorites to take the championship.

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New Taipei Kings: Unfamiliar underdogs

The P. LEAGUE powerhouse goes into the semifinals in an unfamiliar position: the underdog.

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A make-or-break factor for New Taipei Kings could be the fitness of star Jeremy Lin, who has been sidelined since late January after suffering a plantar fascia injury.

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The team lost their last two Group Stage games after Lin went out, letting slip their chance to win Group B.

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The good news for the Kings is that the former NBA pro will at least travel to Cebu with the team.

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Even if Lin comes back, the Kings will need to rely on their depth, including Jeremy’s brother Joseph, as well as import star Kenny Manigault.

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Kings head coach Ryan Marchand publicly stated early this season that his team’s goal was to win both the EASL and the P. LEAGUE+ in 2024.

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They will need to get past the undefeated Jets to achieve that feat.

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Big men vie for East Asia supremacy

In the 2023 EASL Champions Week, the likes of Omari Spellman, Jameel Warney and Andrew Nicholson dominated the headlines as East Asia’s premier big men.

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This season, Chiba Jets big man John Mooney is averaging 23 PPG through four games, and leads the EASL with 16.3 RPG.

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The Jets are complemented by former NBA pro-Xavier Cooks’ rebounding – he is fourth in the league with 11.7 RPG.

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The Jets will be looking to utilize their frontcourt talent to beat the Kings.

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By the Numbers

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Chiba Jets (Japan – B.LEAGUE)

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- Team History:

Founded: 2005
2020-21 B.LEAGUE Champions
Emperor’s Cup Champions (2017, 2018, 2019, 2023)

- 2022-23 B.LEAGUE season:

Runners up in 2022-23 B.LEAGUE season
B.LEAGUE record: 53 regular season wins
Loss just seven games all season
Embarked on a 24-game winning streak from December 2022 to March 2023
First on offense: scored 87.9 points per game
Fifth on defense: conceded 74.8 points per game
Playoffs: defeated Hiroshima Dragonflies 2-1 in quarterfinals; defeated Alvark Tokyo 2-0 in semifinals; lost to Ryukyu Golden Kings 2-0 in B.LEAGUE Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 6-0

October 11, 2023: 93-75 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)
October 18, 2023: 85-82 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)
November 1, 2023: 75-66 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)
December 13, 2023: 102-69 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL)
December 27, 2023: 76-60 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)
January 10, 2024: 115-98 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: John Mooney – 23.0 ppg
Rebounds: John Mooney – 16.3 rpg
Assists: Yuki Togashi – 5.4 apg
Steals: Xavier Cooks & D.J. Stephens – 2.3 spg
Blocks: D.J. Stephens – 2.7 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

EASL Final Four 2024 Semifinal vs. New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+) – March 8, 2024

- EASL History:

2019 Terrific 12: The Jets went 1-1, beating PBA side Blackwater Elite before losing to KBL side Seoul SK Knights.
2018 Terrific 12: The Jets went 0-2, falling to CBA side Guangzhou Loong Lions and KBL side Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.
2017 Super 8: The Jets went 3-0, beating CBA side Zhejiang Guangsha Lions, Chinese Taipei side Taipei Fubon Braves, and KBL side Seoul Samsung Thunders. The Jets beat KBL side Goyang Orions in the semifinals, before beating Zhejiang again to win the 2017 EASL Super 8 tournament.

- 2023-24 B.LEAGUE Season record: 27-14

October 5, 2023: 80-63 win over Saga Ballooners
October 7, 2023: 80-79 win over Saga Ballooners
October 14, 2023: 93-86 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya
October 15, 2023: 84-82 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya
October 21, 2023: 89-66 loss against Yokohama B-Corsairs
October 22, 2023: 88-70 win over Yokohama B-Corsairs
October 25, 2023: 87-66 loss against Kawasaki Brave Thunders
October 28, 2023: 79-69 win over Fighting Eagles Nagoya
October 29, 2023: 88-73 loss against Fighting Eagles Nagoya
November 4, 2023: 88-83 loss against SeaHorses Mikawa
November 5, 2023: 101-90 win over SeaHorses Mikawa
November 8, 2023: 86-78 win over Gunma Crane Thunders
November 11, 2023: 95-76 loss against Saga Ballooners
November 12, 2023: 78-72 win over Saga Ballooners
November 30, 2023: 87-83 win over Shimane Susanoo Magic
December 1, 2023: 90-53 loss against Shimane Susanoo Magic
December 6, 2023: 94-72 win over Ibaraki Robots
December 9, 2023: 92-61 win over Nagoya Diamond Dolphins
December 10, 2023: 99-71 loss against Nagoya Diamond Dolphins
December 16, 2023: 93-88 loss against Sun Rockers Shibuya
December 17, 2023: 89-75 win over Sun Rockers Shibuya
December 20, 2023: 78-65 loss against Utsunomiya Brex
December 23, 2023: 92-76 loss against Sendai 89ers
December 24, 2023: 96-72 win over Sendai 89ers
December 30, 2023: 90-81 loss against San-en NeoPhoenix
December 31, 2023: 96-94 loss against San-en NeoPhoenix
January 6, 2024: 99-83 win over Kyoto Hannaryz
January 7, 2024: 83-76 win over Kyoto Hannaryz
January 17, 2024: 105-73 win over Akita Northern Happinets
January 20, 2024: 98-79 win over Hokkaido Levanga
January 21, 2024: 89-82 win over Hokkaido Levanga
January 27, 2024: 93-92 win over Toyama Grouses
January 28, 2024: 91-73 win over Toyama Grouses
January 31, 2024: 75-74 win over Alvark Tokyo
February 3, 2024: 97-77 win over Osaka Evessa
February 4, 2024: 89-77 win over Osaka Evessa
February 7, 2024: 77-58 win over Hokaido Levanga
February 10, 2024: 89-79 win over Yokohama B-Corsairs
February 11, 2024: 90-85 loss over Yokohama B-Corsairs
March 2 2024: 85-79 win over Hiroshima Dragonflies
March 3, 2024: 88-80 win over Hiroshima Dragonflies

- B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Christopher Smith – 23.0 ppg
Rebounds: John Mooney – 11.7 rpg
Assists: Yuki Togashi – 5.0 apg
Steals: Xavier Cooks – 1.2 spg
Blocks: Xavier Cooks – 1.2 bpg

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New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)

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- Team History:

Founded: 2021
Honors: 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ runners-up

- 2022-23 P. LEAGUE+ Runners-Up

Regular season record: 27-13
P. LEAGUE+ Regular Season Champions
Playoffs: defeated Dreamers 3-1 in semifinals; lost to Taipei Fubon Braves 4-2 in P. LEAGUE+ Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 4-2

November 8, 2023: 90-72 win over Seoul SK Knights (KBL)
November 27, 2023: 97-92 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
January 3, 2024: 89-77 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
January 10, 2024: 67-63 win over Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
January 24, 2024: 90-67 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
January 31, 2024: 89-57 loss against Seoul SK Knights (KBL)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Kenny Manigault – 17.3 ppg
Rebounds: Kenny Manigault – 11.0 rpg
Assists: Jeremy Lin – 5.6 apg
Steals: Kenny Manigault – 3.3 spg
Blocks: Tony Mitchell Jr. – 2.5 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

EASL Final Four 2024 Semifinal vs. Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE) – March 8, 2024

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Season record: 13-10

November 11, 2023: 96-89 win over Taipei Fubon Braves
November 18, 2023: 111-87 win over Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
November 19, 2023: 123-113 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
November 25, 2023: 98-92 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
November 26, 2023: 109-93 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
December 3, 2023: 92-81 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
December 9, 2023: 107-86 win over Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
December 17, 2023: 100-90 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
December 23, 2023: 111-106 win over Taipei Fubon Braves
December 24, 2023: 120-104 loss against Formosa Dreamers
December 30, 2023: 105-98 loss against Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
December 31, 2023: 104-96 loss against Taipei Fubon Braves
January 6, 2024: 93-76 loss against Formosa Dreamers
January 12, 2024: 95-80 win over Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
January 20, 2024: 114-82 win over Formosa Dreamers
January 21, 2024: 110-97 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
January 28, 2024: 94-83 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
February 3, 2024: 91-70 loss against Formosa Dreamers
February 6, 2024: 111-93 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
February 16, 2024: 79-97 loss against Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
February 18, 2024: 112-97 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots
February 28, 2024: 88-80 loss against Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers
March 2, 2024: 94-87 loss against Taoyuan Pauian Pilots

- P. LEAGUE+ 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jeremy Lin – 22.1 ppg
Rebounds: Byron Mullens – 12.0 rpg
Assists: Kenny Manigault – 6.3 apg
Steals: Kenny Manigault – 3.1 spg
Blocks: Quincy Davis – 1.5 bpg

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Players to Watch

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Chiba Jets

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#2 Yuki Togashi – PG

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- Former NBA G League Player (Texas Legends)

- Japan: B.LEAGUE – Chiba Jets

2019 B.LEAGUE MVP
2017 B.LEAGUE All-Star Game MVP
7x B.LEAGUE Best Five (2017-23)
2x B.LEAGUE Assist Leader (2020, 2022)
2x Emporer's Cup MVP (2019, 2023)
2014 bj league Best Five Team
2014 bj league All-Star Game MVP

- Japan National Basketball Team Captain (2023 FIBA World Cup: Qualified for Olympic Berth)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

17.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 5.4 apg

- B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stats:

19.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 5.0 apg, 0.9 spg

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#10 Xavier Cooks – F

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- USA NCAA Division I: Winthrop (2014-18)

Winthrop’s all-time rebounder
Winthrop's all-time shot-blocker
2018 Big South Player of the Year
2× First-team All-Big South (2017, 2018)
2016 Second-team All-Big South
2015 Big South All-Freshman Team
Big South Men's Basketball All-Decade Team (2010–19)

- Former NBA player (Washington Wizards)

- Australia: NBL – Sydney Kings

2× NBL champion (2022, 2023)
2022 NBL Grand Final MVP (2022)
2023 NBL Most Valuable Player (2023)
2023 All-NBL First Team (2023)
2022 All-NBL Second Team (2022)

- New Zealand: NZNBL – Wellington Saints

2022 NZNBL MVP
2022 NZNBL All-Star Five
2022 NZNBL Most Outstanding Forward

- Germany: Basketball Bundesliga - Würzburg Baskets

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

18.3 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.3 spg

- B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stats:

12.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.9 apg

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#33 John Mooney – C

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- USA NCAA Division I: Notre Dame (2016-20)

2020 First-team All-ACC
2019 Third-team All-ACC

- Australia: NBL (Perth Wildcats)

2021 NBL Cup winner
2021 All-NBL First Team
2021 NBL rebounding leader (11.4 rpg)
2021 Perth Wildcats MVP

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

23.0 ppg, 16.3 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.8 spg

- B.LEAGUE 2023-24 Season stats:

18.8 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.0 spg

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New Taipei Kings

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#1 Joseph Lin – G

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- USA NCAA Division III: Hamilton College (2011-15)

- Chinese Taipei: Taipei Fubon Braves (2015-22)

2x P. LEAGUE+ Champion (Taipei Fubon Braves: 2021, 2022)
2019 SBL Champion (Taipei Fubon Braves)
4x SBL All-Star (2016-2019)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

10.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.5 apg

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ season stats:

13.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 6.0 apg

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#55 Kenny Manigault – F

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- USA NCAA Division I: Wichita State (2009-10)

USA NCAA Division II: USC Aiken (2010-11),
USA NAIA: Pikeville (2011-13)

- Team History:

Australia: NBL1 – Goldfields Giants (2016)
Poland: I Liga – AZS Koszalin (2016-17)
Finland: Korisliiga - Tampereen Pyrintö (2017-19); Helsinki Seagulls (2022)
Asia: ABL – Macau Black Bears (2019-20)
Israel: Israeli National League - Elitzur Yavne B.C. (2020-21)
Canada: CEBL – Fraser Valley Bandits (2021)

- Chinese Taipei: P. LEAGUE+ - New Taipei Kings

2023 P. LEAGUE+ Steals Leader
2023 P. LEAGUE+ All-Second Team
12th player in professional basketball history to record a quadruple-double

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

17.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 4.0 apg

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ season stats:

17.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 6.3 apg, 3.1 spg

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#7 Jeremy Lin – PG

- USA NCAA Division I: Harvard (2006-2010)

2× First-team All-Ivy League (2009, 2010)
2008 Second-team All-Ivy League

- Former NBA player (Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors)

NBA Career Stats: 480 games – 11.6 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 spg
NBA: 2019 NBA Champion (Toronto Raptors)
2012 NBA TV Social Breakout Player of the Year

- Former NBA G League player (Reno Bighorns, Erie Bayhawks, Santa Cruz Warriors)

- China: CBA – Beijing Ducks