Endo Yuto Shines as Utsunomiya Brex Overcome Injuries & Secure Key Win | B.League Basketball

UTSUNOMIYA, JAPAN – The Utsunomiya Brex secured a crucial 90-84 victory over the Ibaraki Robots on March 11th, a win made all the more significant by the absence of key player, Makoto Hiejima, due to injury. Stepping up in a pivotal role was veteran forward Yuto Endo, who delivered a season-high performance off the bench, scoring 16 points with 3 assists in 26 minutes and 48 seconds of play. The win keeps the Brex firmly atop the East District standings as they push for a repeat championship.

Hiejima’s injury, sustained in the previous game against the Saga Ballooners, created a void in the Brex lineup. Adding to the challenge, Shin Takashima also faced foul trouble, limiting his playing time to 13 minutes and 38 seconds. It was Endo who answered the call, providing a much-needed spark and stability for Utsunomiya.

Brex head coach, Zico Coronel, praised Endo’s mental fortitude and preparedness. “He is a mentally strong player,” Coronel said. “It was a game where his responsibility increased, but he understood what he needed to do and entered the game with that mindset. He shot the ball with a high percentage, but also executed a defense that prevented Ibaraki from playing their game.”

Endo, however, downplayed any notion of a changed role, emphasizing the team’s collective effort. “With Hiejima-san unable to play, everyone on the team simply fulfilled their roles and we were able to get the win,” Endo stated after the game. “Even without Hiejima-san, my role within the team doesn’t change. I just look for opportunities to shoot when they present themselves, and I try to play as I always do.”

While Endo’s 4-for-8 shooting from three-point range stood out, he attributed his success to the contributions of his teammates. “Atsuya Ogawa has returned from injury, and he and Takashima-san are both applying defensive pressure from the front, which gives me more energy, both physically and mentally,” Endo explained. “I used to get tired on defense, but now I’m able to contribute more on offense. If I can efficiently score in limited playing time, I can be even more valuable to the team.”

Endo’s career with Utsunomiya has been marked by consistency, but this season has seen a shift in his role. He has started in only one game thus far, but his field goal percentage has risen, and his defensive judgment remains exceptional. He continues to be a key 3-and-D player for the Brex.

“I may have had more ambition when I was younger, but as the B.League has become more competitive, I’ve reach to understand what I can and cannot do with age,” Endo said, reflecting on his evolution as a player. “I used to practice things I couldn’t execute in games, but now I’m able to do so more consistently. I’d like to be able to do more than just shoot three-pointers and play my game.”

With the win, Utsunomiya improved to 32-10, maintaining their lead in the East District. They are aiming for a third consecutive district championship and a second consecutive overall championship. Notably, the team is showing significant potential for improvement, particularly on the defensive end. Last season, the Brex boasted one of the league’s best defensive ratings (fewest points allowed per 100 possessions), ranking 2nd and 1st the previous two seasons, respectively. This season, they currently rank 10th, indicating room for growth.

Endo highlighted the team’s defensive cohesion. “The players on the court are able to communicate and agree on what needs to be done based on the team’s game plan, and we’re seeing more games where You can hold on defensively even if we get off to a slow start,” he said. “Today, we held them to 84 points, but we allowed some players we shouldn’t have to score, so we necessitate to have a common understanding as a team.”

Endo’s performance embodied the “Brex Mentality,” stepping up in a critical situation and leading the team to victory. Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of continued communication and teamwork. “We’ve been playing with the same core group of players for about three years, so we understand each other without having to say much, but there are also times when we get beaten because we don’t communicate. If we can move in the same direction without becoming complacent, we can reach the level of quality we showed in last year’s championship.”

The Utsunomiya Brex will continue their season with their next confirmed game on March 15th against the Chiba Jets. Fans can follow the team for updates and schedules on the official B.League website.

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