The dynamic duo of Sebastian Saiz and Ryan Kelly guided the Sunrockers Shibuya to their first Emperor's Cup gold-medal game with a 96-69 win over the Shiga Lakestars in the All-Japan Basketball Championship semifinals at Saitama Super Arena on Saturday.
Saiz, a 205-cm Spaniard, collected 20 points, eight rebounds and two steals, while former Duke University big man Kelly contributed 14 points and seven boards for the Sunrockers, who captured the annual single-elimination new year tourney crown in 2015.
The Sunrockers struggled to have successful seasons since the B. League was inaugurated in 2016. But this season, they have made impressive improvements impressed, posting a 19-9 record through last weekend and earning a chance to earn their first title in the B. League era.