[Softbank] Manager Hiroki Kokubo: “I’m proud to be the two teams that made the game exciting.” In the final match against Shinjo-Ham, “I won’t be surprised no matter what they do.”
Sports Hochi
2025.10.14(火) 14:14
The press conference on the day before the final stage of the “2025 PERSOL Climax Series Pa” was held at the Mizuho Pay Dome on April 14. Softbank and manager Hiroki Kokubo expressed his strong feelings before the final game against the Nippon-Ham. The team won the league championship for the second consecutive year, but was in a fierce battle for the championship with the second-place Nippon-Ham team until the very end. Although they were in a position to face their rivals as champions, they welcomed the rematch, saying, “We are proud that we are the two teams that made Pacific League so successful.
This season, their head-to-head record is 13 wins and 12 losses. “The wins and losses are pretty even. It was a one-on-one battle for the championship in the latter half of August and September,” he admitted, declaring, “I want people to really think, ‘This year’s Pacific League was exciting. The two strongest teams led the year.’ How it ends is more important than how it started. I want to end Pacific League like that.” Regarding his showdown with manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo, who is the same age as him, he stated, “I tell the players and management that I won’t be surprised no matter what he does, and I myself won’t be surprised no matter what he does. I always have the feeling that he’ll make a move.”
Shuto, who had been suffering from a back injury, joined the team for practice. He has been absent from actual games since September 21st, but the manager announced his intention to register him as a player, saying, “He may not be able to play at 100% or in all his plays, but I have determined that he is a valuable asset to the team to the extent that he can.” Furthermore, Imamiya, who sat out the September games due to left calf pain, returned after training in the Miyazaki Phoenix League. Masaki, who underwent surgery at the end of April for a left shoulder subluxation, also joined the team. “I feel that we have a lot of positive factors,” said manager Kokubo. “After all, a short-term showdown is a special battle. win as a team is all I can think about. I want to make decisions while keeping in mind that we may use players different from the season average.”
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AloJapan.com