TOKYO – Nagasaki Velca beat Ryukyu in Game 3 to win the Japan Professional Basketball League "B.LEAGUE" Resona Group B championship at the Yokohama Arena.
The Resona Group B.LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP 2025-26 MVP award went to Hyunjung Lee, while Yudai Baba received the FINALS MVP Award.
"There are so many important reasons, but this team has incredible ‘heart.’ It starts from the top team and goes all the way through. I think that’s what brough this home. Honestly, this is a pretty complete team, we had the best offence in the history of the B.LEAGUE and we won this Championship series holding the team like RYUKYU to 70pts every game. Incredible characters, incredible talents and incredible fans,” said Nagsaki head coach Mody Maor.
“We trusted all the teammates. I think everyone in our team is an incredible player, and if someone is in foul trouble, I believe, and we all believe, someone is going to step up. I wouldn’t be able to achieve the high 3pt percentage without the teammates. They believed in me, and they found me open, and they set great screen, so I want to give credit to them. So I want to say it is a team award. Kampai!” stated MVP Hyunjung Lee.
“I’ve dedicated every day of this season to Masaya Karimata, who is retiring this year, so it feels absolutely amazing to share this championship moment with him. I caused the team some trouble with my foul trouble, but young players like Hayato Yamaguchi and Katsunobu Hoshikawa stepped up to fill the gap on the big stage of the FINALS, showing us just how much they’ve grown and how reliable they’ve become. Over the past three seasons, I fought until the very end for the people of Nagasaki—who always pushed me forward with their warm cheers even during the toughest times—and for Masa (Karimata). I would be delighted if winning this magnificent B.LEAGUE championship title has allowed me to repay them, even just a little.,” added Baba.
