JPN - Aisin Sea Horses hit summit

TOKYO (JBL) - Aisin Sea Horses swept a two-game series against Toyota Alvark to take over at the top of Japan's JBL.

JR Sakuragi poured in 22 points and pulled down eight rebounds as the Sea Horses prevailed 77-74 victory on Friday night.

He then managed 29 points and 14 rebounds in the second game as the Sea Horses triumphed 87-77 to clinch their seventh successive victory and move into the sole lead.

Hitach Sunrockers' Golden Rookie Joji Takeuchi achieved a double-double on Friday night - 23 points and 14 rebounds - which helped his team earn an emphatic 84-51 win over Mitsubishi Electoric Diamond Dolphines.

However, the Dolphines got their revenge on Saturday when they clinched a narrow 74-70 victory.

Jamar Smith contributed 27 points and 14 rebounds as Toshiba Brave Thunders downed Panasonic Trians 102-86 on Saturday.

The Trians woke up on Sunday and claimed their sixth win of the campaign by beating the same opponents 80-72 thanks in the main to a 27-point haul from Tilo Klette.

Elsewhere, Jawad Williams netted 35 points as JBL newcomers Rera Kamuy Hokkaido triumphed 101-93 over OSG Phoenix Higashimikawa, for whom Cliff Hawkins' 33 points and Marquis Estill's 32 were in vain.

Estill and Hawkins poured in 38 and 30 points respectively, however, as OSG Phoenix Higashimikawa gained revenge with a 107-97 win on Saturday.

JBL Standings
Aisin Sea Horses 11-3
Toyota Alvark 10-4
Toshiba Brave Thunders 7-7
OSG Phoenix Higashimikawa 6-8
Panasonic Trians 6-8
Mitsubishi Electoric Diamond Dolphines 6-8
Rera Kamuy Hokkaido 6-8
Hitachi Sunrockers 4-10

FIBA