For Ryuji Kawai, his second season at the helm has the same aspiration as the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix's daily message throughout the 2011-12 season: A championship is the only goal. And the high-profile team will aim for that target as a first-year member of the Western Conference after spending the four previous campaigns in the Eastern Conference.
The Phoenix, two seasons removed from their second consecutive title under former bench boss Kazuo Nakamura, looked strong during the holiday weekend's Seiki Cup in Shiga Prefecture, with three victories in as many days.
Here's the rundown: Hamamatsu 76, Shiga Lakestars 74 on Saturday; Hamamatsu 77, Kyoto Hannaryz 76 on Sunday; and Hamamatsu 75, Osaka Evessa 62 on Monday.