Motivation can be a powerful emotion in sports.
For the Chiba Jets Funabashi, last season's defeat in the B. League Championship final to the Alvark Tokyo has been their motivational force throughout this season.
Jets shooting guard Kosuke Ishii admitted as much after Chiba's 96-85, series-clinching victory over the visiting Toyama Grouses at Funabashi Arena on Sunday, a win that propelled the Jets into the playoff semifinals.