Something strange happened to Evelyn Mao. The quiet tension and the rise of Miyazaki and Okoye
There are only two games left until Saori Miyazaki retires. theENEOS Sunflowersstarted the match with a good tempo.
Following Yuka Yagi’s opening goal, Miyazaki cut through the Fujitsu Red Wave defense with a sharp drive. Anri Hoshi made a 3-pointer and the score was 9-5 in the first 3 minutes.
Kadisha Umezawa showed her presence with rebounds and did not allow Fujitsu’s second chances.
However, something happens that changes the course of the match.
Ma Gua Evelin, the basis of offense and defense, leaves due to injury in the early stages – Photographed by Journal-ONE
Ace’s painful absence in the early stages
With five minutes left in the game, Ma Guo Evelin voluntarily went to the bench while trying to protect her left leg. It wasn’t a dramatic scene where he collapsed. However, his gait was clearly different from usual, and when he sat down on a bench, his face contorted as staff administered first aid.
After that, he disappeared behind the bench and returned a while later, but his expression remained grim. In the end, she never stepped on the court again that day.
The atmosphere throughout the arena wasn’t freezing. However, the tension on the ENEOS bench was palpable.
Okoye is dynamic and gaining momentum ENEOS
As if to cut through the atmosphere, Momohinka Okoe, who replaced her, made a lively performance. He jumps on offensive rebounds, jumps on blocks, slams his body under the basket, and runs on fast breaks. The way he played with dedication to the team’s victory was filled with the spirit of trying to fill in Evelyn’s absence.
In the closing stages, Miyazaki made a quick break from a steal, giving ENEOS a 23-16 lead after the first 10 minutes. Despite the quiet tension, the team was definitely moving forward.
Miyazaki makes a shot from a steal – Photo by Journal-ONE
Fujitsu’s counterattack. ENEOS’ endurance battle supported by Umezawa, Okoye, and Ashten
Immediately after the start of the second quarter, Umezawa scored consecutive points off an assist from Miyazaki. Umezawa grabbed multiple defensive rebounds in this quarter alone and once pushed back Fujitsu’s outside corner attack.
However, Fujitsu also counterattacked with Saki Hayashi’s 3P, Riho Akagi’s outside corner, and Akato Osariten’s inside.
For ENEOS, Ashten Pretchel continued to score with free throws, and Okoye struggled under the goal, but Fujitsu’s outside corners did not stop.
In the midfield, Fujitsu’s pressure increased, and Miyazaki continued to commit turnovers. Still, ENEOS managed to maintain control, with Okoye scoring from offensive rebounds and Ashten showing strength in the paint.
However, towards the end, Fujitsu suddenly stepped up.
With 41 seconds left, Rui Machida’s 3-pointer made it 35-35. Then, with 3 seconds left, Machida cut in again, making it 37-37.
From this point on, the match entered a “dead heat” where the score fluctuated like a heartbeat.
Okoye covered Evelyn injury-Journal-ONE photo shoot
Pretchel awakens. An impressive 27 points that dominated the paint
In the second half, ENEOS’s lead role was clear.
Pretchel Ashten. He stood in the way of Fujitsu’s inside, snatched up the rebound, screwed it under the goal, and also sunk it in the middle.
In the overwhelming paint, Pretchel didn’t back down even when Fujitsu’s big man tried to lean in.
He racked up double-digit points in just those 10 minutes, ending up with 27 points and 11 rebounds. He pushed back Fujitsu’s defense head-on and became the axis of ENEOS’ attack.
However, Fujitsu’s Akagi, Yuki Miyazawa, and Akato fought back, and in this Q alone, there were 3 ties and 4 reversals. It was a tense 10 minutes, with each other’s intentions clashing.
For ENEOS, Miyazaki sets up the game, Okoye puts his body on the rebound, and Pretchel continues to run wild in the paint. Even at the end of the 3rd quarter, the game was completely even.
Pretchel played an active role with a team-high 27 points – Photo by Journal-ONE
Saori Miyazaki, soulful play before retirement
It was this person who pushed ENEOS back in the final Q.Saori Miyazaki.
This season, I announced my retirement. Her play has an “untethered beauty” to it. Drives without hesitation, steals with sharp readings, and passes that make the most of teammates. And this is the point where it really matters.
Every time Fujitsu tried to catch up, Miyazaki pulled back the flow. Okoye kept his body on the rebound until the end, and Pretchel never lost control in the paint.
