Game Notes: Group A – Chiba Jets (0-0) vs. TNT Tropang Giga (0-0)

October 11, 2023 – Chiba, Japan

Storylines:

TNT chasing redemption. Will they catch up?

1. The Philippines have a disappointing 7-15 record in the history of EASL, dating back to the 2018 Super 8 Tournament. TNT themselves are coming off a disappoint 0-2 tournament during EASL Champions Week, losing with a combined score of 179-135, a 44-point difference. Can TNT turn the regions’ fortunes around with an upset against Chiba?

Can the Jets restart their engine?

2. Chiba Jets are coming off a historic season Japan, winning a record 53 games in the B.LEAGUE regular season. However, their title bid fell short as they lost to Ryukyu Golden Kings 2-0 in the 2023 B.LEAGUE Finals. The Jets are also 0-2 to start the 2023-24 B.LEAGUE regular season. Can they overcome their slow start and go back to their dominant ways?

Will Togashi’s team dominate East Asia?

3. Japan is coming off an impressive showing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, with Chiba Jets’ guard Yuki Togashi captaining the squad. Can he carry the momentum and translate his international performance at the club level?

By the Numbers:

Chiba Jets

- Runners up in 2022-23 B.LEAGUE season

- EASL History:

• Return to EASL for the first time since the Terrific 12 in 2019.
• 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.

- 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

- Team History:

• 2020-21 B.LEAGUE Champions
• 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023 Emperor’s Cup Champions

TNT Tropang Giga

- 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Champions

- EASL History:

• Return to EASL since 2023 EASL Champions Week  
• 2023 EASL Champions Week: TNT went 0-2, losing to B.LEAGUE side Utsunomiya Brex and KBL side Seoul SK Knights  
• 2019 Terrific 12: TNT went 1-1, falling to CBA side Liaoning Flying Leopards and beating B.LEAGUE side Niigata Albirex.  

- 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup:

• Elimination Round: 10-1 record, 1^st in PBA  
• First on offense: scored 115.9 points per game
• Playoffs: defeated Phoenix Super LPG 132-105 in quarterfinals; defeated Meralco Bolts 3-1 in semifinals; Defeated Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 4-2 in Finals

- Team History:

• 9 PBA Championships (1998 Centennial, 2003 All-Filipino, 2008-09 Philippine Cup, 2010-11 Philippine Cup, 2011 Commissioner’s, 2011-12 Philippine Cup, 2012-13 Philippine Cup, 2015 Commissioner’s Cup, 2021 Philippine Cup, 2023 Governors’ Cup)

• 22 PBA Finals appearances

Players to Watch:

Chiba Jets:

#2 Yuki Togashi – PG  

• Former NBA G League Player (Texas Legends)
• Japan: 2019 B.LEAGUE MVP
• Japan: 2017 B.LEAGUE All Star Game MVP
• Japan: 2020, 2022 B.LEAGUE Assist Leader
• Japan: 2019, 2023 Emporer's Cup MVP
• Japan National Basketball Team Captain (2023 FIBA World Cup: Qualified for Olympic Berth)

TNT Tropang Giga:

#14 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – SF  

• USA NCAA Division 1: Arizona (2013-2015)
• 2015 First Team All-Pac-12; 2015 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team; 2014 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team; NCAA Tournament West Region All-Tournament Team (2015)
• Former NBA player (Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers)
• 2015 NBA Draft: 1st round, 23rd overall pick – Portland Trail Blazers
• NBA career stats: 9.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg; NBA career-best season: 13.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg (Brooklyn Nets – 2017-18)
• 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Champion (TNT Tropang Giga)
• 2023 PBA Governors' Cup Best Import of the Conference (TNT Tropang Giga)
• 2013 McDonald’s All-American; 2013 Jordan Brand Classic
• 2016 5-star high school recruit
• Jordan Men’s National Basketball Team (2023 FIBA World Cup)