Series Tied: Toyota Antelopes and Denso Iris Split First Two Games of W League Finals
The race for the 26th W League championship has reached a fever pitch, with the series locked at 1-1 after the first two clashes of the 2025-2026 finals. In a high-stakes battle held at the Keio Arena TOKYO in Chofu, Tokyo, the Toyota Antelopes and Denso Iris have traded victories, setting the stage for a decisive third game to determine Japan’s top women’s basketball team.
Under the best-of-three format of the W League Playoffs 2025-2026, both teams have demonstrated contrasting strengths. Even as Denso Iris utilized a dominant offensive surge to take the opening game, the Toyota Antelopes relied on a stifling defense and perimeter shooting to claw back into the series.
Game 1: Denso Iris Strikes First
The finals opened on Saturday, April 4, with Denso Iris securing a 75-66 victory. The game was characterized by a pivotal second-quarter swing that effectively decided the outcome. While the first quarter remained competitive—with Denso leading 22-19—the second period saw a complete breakdown in the Toyota offense.
Denso Iris surged to a 17-5 run in the second quarter, creating a double-digit cushion that Toyota could not fully erase. Despite a spirited effort in the fourth quarter, where Toyota outscored Denso 25-19, the damage from the second period proved too significant. Denso’s ability to maintain consistency across the first three quarters (scoring 22, 17, and 17 points respectively) provided the necessary foundation for their 9-point win.
Game 2: Toyota Antelopes Respond with Precision
Facing elimination on Sunday, April 5, the Toyota Antelopes delivered a defensive masterclass to keep their title hopes alive, defeating Denso Iris 57-41. In a stark reversal of the previous day’s narrative, Toyota controlled the tempo from the opening tip.
The Antelopes established an early lead, winning the first quarter 17-14 and the second 16-11. The turning point arrived in the third quarter, where Toyota’s defense suffocated the Denso offense, holding them to just 6 points while scoring 14 of their own. This defensive lockdown ensured that the final quarter, which ended in a 10-10 stalemate, was merely a formality.
The victory was fueled by a standout performance from Mai Yamamoto. Yamamoto proved to be the difference-maker, scoring 22 points and hitting four three-pointers to lead the Antelopes to a 16-point victory.
By the Numbers: The Split
The discrepancy in scoring between the two games highlights the tactical shifts employed by both coaching staffs. The first game was a relatively high-scoring affair (141 total points), while the second game became a defensive grind (98 total points).
| Game | Date | Winner | Score | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 4 | Denso Iris | 75-66 | Denso 17-5 2nd Quarter run |
| 2 | April 5 | Toyota Antelopes | 57-41 | Mai Yamamoto: 22 PTS / 4 3PM |
Venue and Atmosphere
The series is being hosted at the Keio Arena TOKYO, a venue that has provided a professional backdrop for the league’s most prestigious event. Located in Chofu, the arena has seen both teams struggle and thrive under the pressure of the finals’ atmosphere. For global followers, the W League represents the pinnacle of women’s basketball in Japan, blending tactical discipline with high-intensity play.
The shift in momentum from Game 1 to Game 2 suggests that the series is a clash of styles: Denso’s ability to ignite explosive scoring runs versus Toyota’s capacity for disciplined, lockdown defense and targeted perimeter shooting.
What’s Next
With the series tied 1-1, the championship will be decided in a winner-take-all Game 3. Both teams now return to the drawing board to adjust their strategies for the final showdown. Toyota will look to maintain the defensive intensity that saved their season on Sunday, while Denso will seek to recapture the offensive rhythm that powered their Game 1 victory.
Fans can follow official updates and results via the Denso Iris official match center and the W League’s official communications.
Who will claim the 2025-2026 title? Share your predictions in the comments below.
