Where: Changwon Gymnasium 

When: Wednesday, January 21, 7 P.M. KST

Team Records: Changwon LG Sakers (1-4) / Alvark Tokyo (2-1) 

Where to Watch: Ticket Information / Broadcast Information 

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PROJECTED STARTERS 

Changwon LG Sakers 

PG: Yu Ki Sang — 188cm / 86kg

SG: Yang Jun Seok — 180cm / 75kg

SF: Yang Hong Seok — 198cm / 97kg 

PF: Assem Marei — 204cm / 113kg

C: Michael Eric — 211cm / 114kg

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Alvark Tokyo 

PG: Kai Toews — 188cm / 85kg

SG: Marcus Foster — 191cm / 93 kg

SF: Taiki Osakabe — 187cm / 88kg

PF: Ryan Rossiter — 206cm / 105kg

C: Sebastian Saiz — 205cm / 106kg

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‍TEAM STATISTIC LEADERS 

Changwon LG Sakers

Points: Assem Marei — 18.7 

Rebounds: Assem Marei — 13.3 (4th in EASL)

Assists: Assem Marei — 7.7 (1st in EASL)

Steals: Assem Marei — 3.0 (1st in EASL) 

Blocks: Michael Eric — 1.4 (5th in EASL)

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Alvark Tokyo

Points: Sebastian Saiz — 27.5 (5th in EASL) 

Rebounds: Ryan Rossiter — 14.5 (3rd in EASL) 

Assists: Kai Toews — 6.0 

Steals: Taiki Osakabe — 1.3

Blocks: Sebastian Saiz — 1.0 

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THE RUNDOWN 

Alvark Tokyo — the newly crowned 101st Emperor’s Cup Champions — enter this one looking for a third straight win, while Changwon LG Sakers are trying to salvage something from a tough EASL campaign. LG is just 1-4 in Group C despite sitting near the top of the KBL table domestically in 2025-26, and they are already mathematically eliminated from EASL postseason contention.

These teams have seen each other recently. On December 17 in Tokyo, Alvark delivered a statement 92-73 win. LG hung around in the first half, but Alvark blew the game open after the break, outscoring LG 53-38 in the second half. Sebastian Saiz led the way with a dominant 30 points and nine rebounds as Alvark controlled the game on both ends.

With LG eliminated, the pressure is clearly on Alvark’s side, but in a different way. Alvark has only played three EASL games so far, meaning they still have some margin even if they slip up here. But a win would put them in a strong position to qualify, leaving them needing just one more victory from their final two games to book a place in the postseason.

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THE LG SAKERS

LG Sakers have had a tough EASL season, most recently suffering another near 20-point loss to Alvark Tokyo on December 17. This upcoming game is also the final EASL matchup of their inaugural campaign, giving them one last shot to salvage some momentum.

They’ll be shorthanded, too. Carl Tamayo remains out with a long-term injury, so more responsibility will likely fall on young forward Yang Hong Seok, who scored 21 points in his EASL debut on Dec. 9 against the Xac Broncos, still LG’s lone win.

What’s interesting is that despite their spot in the standings, LG’s individual numbers have been strong. Team leaders rank inside the league’s top five in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, and they’ve been especially impressive as playmakers. Assem Marei and Yang Junseok sit first and second in assists league-wide, combining for 15 per game. The pieces have been there, but LG hasn’t consistently put everything together.

In this finale, a key storyline is Marei’s matchup. He’s produced monster numbers all season and will be facing Alvark’s frontcourt for the first time after sitting out the Dec. 17 meeting.

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ALVARK  

Aside from their opening-day loss to the Xac Broncos on October 8, Alvark Tokyo has looked like itself, winning two straight and now sitting among the teams chasing a third consecutive victory.

They also arrive in strong overall form. Beyond their EASL run, Alvark capped a standout week by reaching the Japan Basketball Association’s 101st Emperor’s Cup Final, where they defeated Seahorses Mikawa 72-64 to lift the trophy.

Alvark is at its best when the frontcourt sets the tone. Sebastian Saiz has led the way offensively, averaging 27.5 points per game, fifth-most in EASL, while Ryan Rossiter has been dominant on the glass at 14.5 rebounds per game, third-best in the league. Rossiter’s recent rebound totals underline just how impactful he’s been, grabbing 18 boards in Alvark’s last EASL win over LG and following it with 21 rebounds in the Emperor’s Cup Final.

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SPOTLIGHT STORYLINE
PLAYMAKING BIG 

Assem Marei has only appeared in three of LG’s five total games, but he’s sure made the most of his minutes.

Not only is he statistically the most valuable player on his team, leading in points, rebounds, assists and steals, but he’s also placing in the top five in the league in three of those four categories.

The most impressive, though, has to be his league-leading 7.7 assists per game. Why? Because in EASL’s three-season history, he’s the lone big man to ever lead the league in assists. It’s never been done before.

Last year, Damian Chongqui, point guard for the Macau Black Bears, led with nine assists per game. And in the 2023 24 season, Rondae Hollis Jefferson led with 6.4, but he’s considered a forward.

Marei’s creating history.