Gunma edges Levanga in overtime as Fujii shines at Manila Games

The B.League Manila Games 2026 match at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila delivered a thrilling overtime battle between the Gunma Crane Thunders and Levanga Hokkaido. Gunma secured a 101-91 victory thanks to Yuma Fujii's outstanding three-point shooting – he scored 7 points in overtime, including the go-ahead basket with 39.9 seconds left. However, the main storyline revolved around both teams losing their leading scorers due to fouls, a stark reminder of FIBA's five-foul disqualification rule. Stanley Johnson, a former NBA player now with Levanga, scored 17 points in regulation before fouling out. His absence in overtime deprived Levanga of its primary offensive weapon, allowing Gunma to exploit perimeter spacing. Fujii, shooting 50% from three (5/10), became the hero for Gunma despite also being in foul trouble. The Gunma coaching staff made effective roster adjustments, enabling bench players to maintain tempo when starters faced foul issues. Tactically, overtime saw Gunma spread the floor to attack Levanga's weakened defense after Johnson's exit. Quick pick-and-rolls created open looks for Fujii and teammates beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Levanga lacked a reliable secondary scoring option, forcing them to rely on perimeter players with limited success. Statistics showed Gunma attempted 10 three-pointers in overtime alone, highlighting their identity as a spacing-dependent team. Beyond the game result, the Manila Games 2026 represent a strategic move for the B.League. Holding regular-season games in the Philippines – a basketball-crazy nation – signals ambitions to expand the league's brand across Southeast Asia. The Mall of Asia Arena, with its capacity of over 20,000, provided an electrifying atmosphere, drawing media and sponsorship interest. If successful, this could become an annual fixture, boosting broadcast revenue and fan engagement. From a risk perspective, Levanga Hokkaido faces an over-reliance on Stanley Johnson. When he is in foul trouble or injured, the team struggles to score. Gunma, while showing better depth, still needs to improve interior scoring to avoid being countered by strong perimeter defenses. Yuma Fujii's impressive three-point shooting is worth monitoring as the season progresses. In summary, the Manila game provided not only dramatic entertainment but also lessons in foul management, bench depth, and overtime tactics. With this win, Gunma Crane Thunders proved their clutch ability, while Levanga Hokkaido must quickly find solutions to ease the burden on their star player.