Overcoming a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter against any foe is a big challenge.
To do so in the final 10 minutes against a team that won 49 of 60 regular-season games was the even greater challenge the Alvark Tokyo faced in Game 1 of a B. League Championship semifinal series against the Kawasaki Brave Thunders on Friday night at Todoroki Arena.
The Alvark were persistent and energetic down the stretch, but fell short, simply running out of time and making too few shots in an 84-76 defeat.