Image search results - "league" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "league"

The bj-league's final and championship game for the 2009-2010 season was held on May 23, 2010 at Ariake Coliseum in Koto Ward, Tokyo. Golden State Warrior Girls from California perform as special guests at the Final Four games.

Female group called S/mileage.

Osaka Evessa was the Western Conference champion. Evessa cheerleaders performed during the pregame show of the bj-league's final and championship game.

Osaka Evessa cheerleaders.

Higashi-Mikawa Hamamatsu Phoenix was the Eastern Conference champion. Phoenix Firegirls cheerleaders perform during the pregame show.

Introducing Phoenix players

bj-league championship trophy. Thought it would be bigger than that. Lots of women camera operators these days too.

Pregame practice by both teams.

Singer of national anthem.

Singing the national anthem.

Introducing Evessa players

Introducing Phoenix players

Championship game tip off

Evessa in black and Phoenix in orange jersey.

Evessa boosters booing a free throw by Phoenix.

Free throw

Osaka Evessa trailed behind Phoenix throughout most of the game.

Wendell White (14) got the bj-league's regular-season MVP award for 2009-2010.

Halftime show of all cheerleaders from Evessa, Phoenix, and Golden State Warrior Girls at center.

Golden State Warrior Girls in Japan. One of the girls is Japanese. Read about their Japan trip in their blog.

Phoenix Firegirls

Osaka Evessa cheerleaders

Phoenix mascot with fans.

English card game questions at halftime.

English card game. Find the card with the correct answer to the questions.

Phoenix Firegirls cheerleaders on the sidelines.

Jump shot

Phoenix Firegirls cheerleaders

Phoenix Firegirls and mascot form a V.

Golden State Warrior Girls cheerleaders

Golden State Warrior Girls from California.

Phoenix coaches

Evessa coach

Phoenix Firegirls rush into the court at the end of their victorious game.

Phoenix coach tossed.

Phoenix coach interviewed.

bj league championship trophy held high.

Victorious Phoenix

bj league championship ring

MVP award

TV cameras and press occupy an entire block of seats in the prime area of the cheap seats.

Osaka Evessa cheerleaders take a bow.

Osaka Evessa cheerleaders shake hands with boosters as they are in tears. It was their second time to lose a championship game.

Osaka Evessa players shake hands with boosters.

Phoenix group photo

bj league championship trophy held high.

Hoop net cutting.

Firegirls shake hands with boosters.

Phoenix players shake hands with boosters.

A long line outside Kyoto City Gymnasium on Oct. 3, 2009 before noon when gates opened for the Kyoto Hannaryz debut game in the bj-league.

Basketball fans entering Kyoto City Gymnasium. The Hannaryz is the thirteenth and newest franchise in the bj-league pro basketball league in Japan.

Inside the lobby of the gym are cutouts of the Hannaryz players.

The name "Hannaryz" refers to the well-known word "hannari" (はんなり or 花なり) which in the Kyoto dialect means classy or distinguished-looking as well as cheery, bright, and colorful.

Soon after we entered the gym, they started introducing the players.

Hannaryz mascot named "Chin-tiger" (baby tiger).

Chin-tiger shoots but misses.

For their debut game, the Hannaryz played against the Shiga Lakestars. Being close neighbors, the Lakestars and the Hannaryz are destined to be eternal rivals and friends at the same time. There are more games scheduled between Shiga and Kyoto.Being close neighbors, the Lakestars and the Hannaryz are destined to be eternal rivals and friends at the same time. There are more games scheduled between Shiga and Kyoto.

The Hannaryz booster club is called Fannaryz, promoted here by TV idol Yasuda Misako who is from Kyoto.

Kyoto Hannaryz

bj-league commissioner Kawachi Toshimitsu gives a few words to open the game.

Wearing an autographed Hannaryz T-shirt, the mayor of Kyoto city also speaks.

Pregame entertainment by the Hannaryz cheerleaders.

Introduction of Lakestars players. Joho Masashi.

Luke Zellar.

Introduction of Hannaryz players.

Introduction of Hannaryz head coach David Benoit (pronounced ""Benwa").

Both teams start practicing on court.

Hannaryz practicing.

Lakestars practicing.

First the cheerleaders wore these black T-shirts and red, harem-style pants. At first, I thought they were hula dancers.

Upon the introduction of Lakestars players, each one greeted opposing head coach David Benoit. This is Luke Zellar.

Introduction of starting five for Hannaryz.

2009-2010 season opening game and Kyoto Hannaryz debut game tip-off at 2 pm on Oct. 3, 2009 at Kyoto City Gymnasium in front of 1,888 spectators.

Kyoto Hannaryz debut game tip-off.

Super tall Reda Rhalimi #55 with the ball as the Lakestars put up a great defense.

Bobby Nash passing in front of 40-year-old Mahmould Abdul-Rauf.

Josh Bostic going up against many men in white.

No stepping back for Gary Hamilton #2.

Hannaryz takes an early lead within the first five minutes of the game.

Joho Masashi runs down the court.

See all players on both teams.

Bobby Nash #33 goes for 3 points.

Shiga Lakestars Gary Hamilton #2

Shiga Lakestars boosters booing a Hannaryz free throw.

Good number of Shiga Lakestars boosters. It's easy for them see away games in Kyoto. It's easy for Kyoto fans to see away games in Shiga too.

Lakestars captain Fujiwara Takamichi #11.

Iwasa Jun #5 is covered.

Chris Schlatter #4

Gary Hamilton

Hannaryz scores.

An almost-full Kyoto City Gymnasium in Nishi-Kyogoku Sports Park near Nishi-Kyogoku Station on the Hankyu Line.

During a break, the cheerleaders got out a giant slingshot to shoot a prize into the crowd.

Hannaryz mascot and cheerleaders. Dig those zori slippers they are wearing. No cartwheels in those things.

Man-to-man defense.

Ogawa Shinya #5 and Takushi Naoto #1, Hannaryz captain.

Joho Masashi #31 and Iwasa Jun #5 were former teammates with Tokyo Apache.

Shinya takes the ball.

Hannaryz head coach David Benoit calmly looks on as his team trails the Lakestars.

Kawabe Taizo #11

Reda Rhalimi really stands out.

Mike Hall #23

Lakestars wear a white uniform for away games. I still disagree with having a sponsor's name printed on the uniform more prominently than the Shiga Lakestars name which appears as a small logo.