A year ago, the Alvark Tokyo built a 10-point cushion by halftime, then overwhelmed the Chiba Jets Funabashi in the second half of the B. League Championship Final, winning by 25 points.
Saturday's showdown was a two-point game at the break.
This time, Tokyo's 19-point lead vanished, but top-seeded Chiba's spirited rally fell short as the Alvark collected their second title in as many years under Montenegrin bench boss Luka Pavicevic, winning 71-67.