Tokyo, Japan -- "The Sun has risen" was the headline when the Fuji Rising Sun defeated Edeno Uno 107-91 to win Division 2.3 Season 68 championship and is promoted to the Philippine Premier League.

The fans were ecstatic as they know they have a special team comprising of All-Filipino players. "Finally our management's vision has come to fruition," one fan said. "for years, they stick in fielding the best Filipino players on their roster."

It started two seasons ago when the Sun's were upset by Street Ballerz in Division 3 Finals as they missed the team flight on Game 1 and was defaulted. The management was really pissed on losing that series when they had a superior team. "that was a wake-up call, we can't win if we are not focused," GM Nicolo Maro said. "we wasted a season when the players were ready."

They were on a mission in Season 67 as they went 21-1 and was promoted to Division 2 but was still pissed when they underestimated an opponent to miss a "perfect season". "We were dominant, we badly wanted to have a 22-0 record but we know we have a target on our back and would get the best shot of teams' as well as balancing our standing in the Cup games."

The organization knew the team was special when they went 9-0 to start in Division 2.3. They lost at home no less to Edeno Uno 75-78 who also had a 9-0 record coming into the match-up.

It could've been a critical point as they have a back-to-back defeat as they lost their next game against Skypeia in a high-scoring affair 141-145.

But the team never wavered and an opportunity presented itself when previous Sun best player Art Rosalia was put in the transfer list. "When we saw his name on the market, we didn't think twice to re-acquire him," Yo Chi said. "we knew that if we sign him, it would be hard to beat us with our current roster -- it was a seamless fit."

Another previous player was "almost" acquired but due to time zone difference, they were unable to bid. This time, they never underestimated their opponents and knew how dangerous and important each games are.

Edeno had a "perfect record" 22-0 but the players were confident esp. with the acquisition of Art. "Morty, John Lloyd, Esmas, and Cabrera were here when Art was the best player," Maro said. "everybody improved so they were just happy to have another weapon with them."

In the semi-finals, they run faster than The BetterRuns Team 102-77. In the conference Finals, they were up to a familiar foe, Radioactives, but they were never felt threatened winning 129-119.

They knew Game 1 would dictate the match-up and they went toe-to-toe with Uno and their perfect record.

In the first quarter, it was tied 26-all. The Suns lead 61-57 at the half. It was a tough game but they ultimately win Game 1 122-113 as they have answered Uno point per point.

It was Art who had a game-high 38 points and 11 rebounds in 11-19 FG, 6-8 3P, and 10-10 FT to lead the Suns to victory. "He showed why his fit is seamless, we are very happy for him."

Another Art (Cabrera), fully supported him with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists while Eden Cabrillo had a dominant double-double with 17 points and 20 rebounds. "The twin tower plus Art, such a joy to watch."

In Game 2 in front of their raucous crowd, Art C. showed why he is the best player on their roster with a dominant 28 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. "I think he already had a double-double in the first half and the 6 assists were all in the 1st half."

The Suns led 52-43 at the half but went away in the third quarter scoring 28 points compared to Uno's 19 enroute to a 107-91 win at home to clinch the series.

Last edited by LA-Nicolo Maro at 7/5/2025 9:48:53 PM

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By: LA-Nicolo Maro
To: LA-Nicolo Maro

560984.2 as reply to 560984.1
7/5/2025 9:48:32 AM

"We don't know how we will fare in the Premier League but we believe we have a few good years with our current players and the way we went all the way to the Final Four in the National Tournament," owner Yo Chi said. "if we can sustain it, we would love to stay in the PPL for years and be competitive."

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By: France
To: LA-Nicolo Maro

560984.3 as reply to 560984.1
7/6/2025 6:54:13 PM

Congrats Coach Nicolo!

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By: LA-Nicolo Maro
To: France

560984.4 as reply to 560984.3
7/6/2025 11:09:31 PM

Thanks!

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Mission accomplished: Fuji Rising Sun back to PPL