In their first year under the new ownership and new name, the Wakayama Trians advanced to the NBL Finals with a 73-59 victory over the Aisin SeaHorses in the decisive third game of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
American Michael Parker had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Japanese ace Takuya Kawamura chipped in with 14 points and six assists and played the entire 40 minutes for the Trians, who were owned by Panasonic Corp. until the end of last season.
For the SeaHorses, who won the JBL championship last year, J.R. Sakuragi scored 16 points and veteran point guard Shinsuke Kashiwagi had 13 points and four steals.
The Trians, now a professional club, will face the Toshiba Brave Thunders of the Eastern Conference in the best-of-five NBL championship series, which starts on May 21 at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No. 2.