Japanese basketball has been plagued by negative news lately, like the FIBA suspension and managerial changes of the Tsukuba Robots and Wakayama Trians. But on this particular day, the players were all smiles for this mid-winter festivity.

Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins forward Amath M'Baye racked up 44 points to lead Team West to a 127-112 win over Team East in the NBL All-Star Game before a full-house crowd of 3,067 at Ota City General Gymnasium on Sunday.

"At the end of the day, we are all competitors," M'Baye, who was named MVP of the game, said of his fired-up performance. "And we all want to win, regardless if it's a game like the All-Star Game or not. And obviously I hate to lose. I hate to lose in a game, I hate to lose in practice, I hate to lose in the All-Star Game. I hate to lose a regular game. I just don't like losing. I'm glad we came on top. I think we all had a lot of fun in front of the fans."