Reigning B. League champion Alvark Tokyo will approach the new season not with the intent to defend their title but rather with the desire to win another, team captain and guard Takeki Shonaka said at the B. League's kickoff conference on Monday.
"We expect a tough season-opening series against Sunrockers Shibuya," said Shonaka, whose Alvark captured its first league title by defeating the Chiba Jets in May. "Hopefully, we'll play well and build confidence for the rest of the season."
The two East Division clubs will face against each other in an all-Tokyo matchup on Oct. 6 and 7 at Arena Tachikawa Tachihi to tip off their third B. League campaign.