Alvark Chiba Faces Early B.League Season Challenges

Alvark Chiba faced an uphill battle during their early-season B.League fixtures, playing a series of challenging matchups against Osaka Evessa, Toyama Grouses, and the undefeated Hiroshima Dragonflies.

Injuries Hinder Alvark Chiba Despite Major Roster Additions

Alvark Chiba entered the new B.League campaign with high expectations, bolstered by major offseason additions including league-representative players such as guard DJ Newbill and Yuto Ando. Despite the high-profile roster reinforcements, the team struggled to find consistent footing during the opening weeks of the season, weighed down by early injuries that left the squad shorthanded.

Nail-Biter Against Osaka Evessa

On October 9, Alvark Chiba hosted Osaka Evessa in a contest that saw the home side jump out to a commanding lead by halftime, utilizing a fast-paced offensive rhythm. Osaka mounted a fierce comeback in the second half, testing Chiba’s defensive resilience before the hosts narrowly escaped with a hard-fought victory. The game also featured notable veteran presence, including 41-year-old Takeuchi (younger brother) suiting up for Osaka.

Tough Loss to Toyama Grouses

Just two days later on October 11, Alvark Chiba met the Toyama Grouses—a team that battled alongside them through the B2 League and earned promotion in the same season. While initial expectations pointed to an evenly matched battle, Toyama asserted control early and pulled away for a decisive 20-point victory, exposing glaring defensive and tactical gaps in Chiba’s gameplay.

Confronting the Hiroshima Dragonflies

The gauntlet continued on October 17 against the Hiroshima Dragonflies, who entered the matchup riding an undefeated streak at the top of the league standings. Alvark Chiba struggled to contain Hiroshima’s dominant center, Koffi Koubane, whose physical presence overwhelmed the paint. Despite heavy minutes and relentless efforts from floor general DJ Newbill, the offensive burden and prolonged exhaustion prevented Chiba from closing the scoring gap.

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