Teishi Tsutomu has received the opportunity of a lifetime.
The 6-foot-9 Filipino-Japanese big man has signed a one-year deal with the B.League Division 3 squad, Kagawa.
The Five Arrows made the announcement on Thursday.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Tateishi Tsutomu. I would like to express my gratitude to GM (Naoto) Ikuoka and HC (Koki) Yabuuchi for giving me the opportunity to play in Japan for Kagawa Five Arrows. I can’t wait to meet my teammates and Kagawa boosters,” said Tsutomu, who arrived in Japan last Tuesday.
“I hope that with my hard work and dedication, I can help the club reach the goal of promotion to B2. See you all soon!”
Tsutomu is represented by 3&D Basketball’s Rados Drljevic and Seigel Sports & Entertainment.
Tsutomu rarely played during his collegiate days in the Philippines.
He spent a year at the University of Santo Tomas before transferring to the College of Saint Benilde.
Tsutomu played only two games for the Blazers during NCAA Season 97.
The 26-year-old big man then played for Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. in the MPBL, seeing action in 19 games with averages of 2.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest.
Tsutomu was supposed to be part of the 2023 PBA Draft but withdrew days later.
He will play as a local in Japan.
Kagawa is currently competing in B3 after being demoted a year ago.