IBM defensive back Tatsuma Kobayashi's 98-yard interception return touchdown turned out to be the momentum-changer as the BigBlue defeated the Obic Seagulls 38-36 on Tuesday at Tokyo Dome.
The BigBlue picked up their first victory over the Seagulls in the X League club's 40-year history and avenged a 29-27 loss in the Pearl Bowl Final in June.
"Obic has been the team to beat for us for a long time," IBM head coach Shinzo Yamada said. "But we have a long way to go to the X Bowl. We keep moving on to win over them again if we meet (in the playoffs) again.