2018 MVP Tanaka, Kirk headline Alvark's roster for redemption at FIBA Asia Champions Cup
BANGKOK (Thailand) - Alvark Tokyo came painfully close to winning it all in 2018. They return with a strong squad at FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2019 to hopefully seal the deal this time.
BANGKOK (Thailand) - Alvark Tokyo came painfully close to winning the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2018. They return to the 2019 edition of the competition with full force in hopes of going all the way this time.
| Alvark Tokyo's roster for FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2019 | ||
| Daiki Tanaka | Seiya Ando | Joji Takeuchi |
| Genki Kojima | Takeki Shonaka | Shohei Kikuchi |
| Milan Macvan | Yutaroh Suda | Alex Kirk |
Highlighting the lineup is Asia Champions Cup 2018 MVP Daiki Tanaka. The 28-year-old sharpshooter was second in the team in scoring at 15.4 points per game with a blistering shooting line of 51.5 percent from the field and 52.9 percent from beyond the arc while also going perfect from the charity stripe.
After playing with Japan at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Tanaka is set to power Alvark through for their first Champions Cup title. A total of 6 players return for the 2018 finalist squad along with Tanaka including and Alex Kirk, Seiya Ando, Joji Takeuchi, Shohei Kikuchi, Genki Kojima, and Takeki Shonaka.
Kirk was a member of the 2018 All-Star Five after averaging 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per contest.
The first test for Alvark Tokyo will be against CBA champions Guangdong Southern Tigers on September 24 at 15:30 (GMT +7). They will then face 2-time FIBA Asia Champions Cup winners, Al-Riyadi, on the next day at the same time. The final game of the Group phase for Alvark Tokyo will see them face Hyundai Mobis at 13:00 (GMT +7) on September 26.
Will the back-to-back defending B.League champions be able to secure the Asia Champions Cup title on their second try?
FIBA