The Wakayama Trians will spend the remainder of the season under new management, NBL acting president Mitsuru Maruo said at a Tokyo news conference on Wednesday.
The team's former management submitted a notice of withdrawal to the league due to severe financial woes last Wednesday, and Wakayama's continuation in the men's hoop circuit was considered to be in jeopardy. In fact, it was believed until the news conference that it would be difficult for the team to continue playing this season.
The Trians were thrown a lifeline because of support from local entities and fans, led by the Wakayama Prefectural Basketball Association. Maruo said the association will lead the new management team, eventually creating a new corporate body, and run the Western Conference team when league play resumes next Wednesday. Wakayama is scheduled to face the Aisin SeaHorses in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture.