Neo-Tokyo falls to Kure; fails to make playoffs

11/12/2013: Tokyo, Japan – Congratulations to Kevin Vail and the Shin Seiki Evas on a job well done.  Shin Seiki, led by GM Vail, was the Shining Star Group’s representative in the Neo-Tokyo Cup.  This was the Evas’ LRS-record 6th playoff appearance.  They faced the Edo Battousai who was appearing for the 5th time in post-season play.  Edo had an impressive regular season, finishing with the most wins in LRS history.  It was a classic matchup of two dominate teams, both of whom won their groups handily.  Is it any surprise the Neo-Tokyo Cup came down to a decisive Game 7?  Shin Seiki triumphed to become only the second LRS team to hoist the Cup twice.

Meanwhile, for Akira fans, it was fun while it lasted, but Neo-Tokyo’s improbable reign as League of the Rising Sun champions came to a grinding halt.  They were edged out by rival Kure for the final playoff spot.  The Akira held a seemingly comfortable 5-game lead over the Arsenal with just a few weeks to go, but a losing month of September left them tied with Kure at season’s end, requiring the LRS’ first ever play-in game.  Kure took that game 3-1 for their first playoff appearance, and Neo-Tokyo’s reign as champs officially came to an end.

The Akira can only console themselves with the fact that the trophy will remain in the possession of an SSG team.  Neo-Tokyo’s remains one of two teams (the other being Fushigi Yugi) that has won a Neo-Tokyo Cup without ever finishing first in their group.

The future will bring more challenges as the SSG gets even more competitive in the coming season.  Tasting the fruits of victory in 2012 has only whetted Neo-Tokyo’s appetite further.  GM Ron Hiscock promised, “We will redouble our efforts to improve our club and reach the playoffs next year.”  The sadness is brief, quickly turning to hope for next season’s campaign.