Though they dealt with some threatening moments, the Toyota Motors Alvark buckled down when it mattered most and came out on top in the end.
American Jeff Gibbs had a double-double performance with 22 points and 15 rebounds, followed by compatriot Philip Ricci, who scored a game-high 23 points, in Toyota's 105-86 victory over the Link Tochigi Brex in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in NBL playoff action on Saturday.
"It's always good to get a first game just because if we win tomorrow, that's it," said Gibbs, who also recorded five assists and six steals for the second-seeded club, after the game at Ota City General Gymnasium. "It's always big to get a first game, especially in a best-of-three series."