Hawai'i's Benny Agbayani is going to the World Series again.

This time, it's in Japan.

The former New York Mets outfielder plays for the Chiba Lotte Marines, who defeated the Softbank Hawks, 3-2, Monday to advance to the best-of-seven championship series starting Saturday against the Hanshin Tigers.

"One in the United States and one in Japan; that's pretty exciting," said Agbayani, who played in the 2000 World Series against the Yankees.

He signed with Chiba Lotte of the Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League in 2004.

"It was kind of a relief," Agbayani said of the series-clinching victory against Softbank in which he batted 1 for 4. "We won the first two games and was leading the third game, but ended up losing in the 10th, 5-4. We went all the way to the fifth game and it was a nail-biter."

The former Hawai'i Pacific University and Saint Louis School athlete also was a key player in the Mets' playoff run to the 2000 World Series, won by the New York Yankees. He hit a game-winning homer in the 13th against San Francisco in a playoff game. He also drove in the go-ahead run in the Mets' lone victory over the Yankees.

Agbayani's manager with the Mets is also his manager now.

Bobby Valentine guided Chiba Lotte to the Japanese championship for the first time in 31 years.

After their victory Monday, the players tossed Valentine in the air.

"Everyone was crying, even the fans were crying," Agbayani said. "When I see the fans, they tell me, 'Thank you,' and that feels so great. They appreciate what's happening."

Once a perennial Pacific League doormat, the Marines have excelled since Valentine returned for his second stint with the club.

Valentine is in the second year of a three-year contract. He becomes the first foreign manager of a Japanese team to reach the Japan Series since Hawai'i's Wally Yonamine in 1974.

Agbayani is in his second year in Japan and is signed for another season, he said. Agbayani originally signed for one year for more than $460,000. Last October, he signed a two-year deal, but terms were not released.

Agbayani lives in Kehin Makuhari in Chiba, which is west of Tokyo.

"I love it here," he said. "My family loves it. We can't complain. The people are nice. The food is awesome. ... the sashimi is awesome. ... My wife loves the shopping here."

Agbayani, who has two daughters, ages 4 and 1, lives near Tokyo Disneyland.

"We're an annual pass member," he said.

Agbayani and Matt Franco are the only Americans on the Marines.

"(My) season has been up and down. I played through injuries (pulled quad) and that affected my average," said Agbayani, who batted .271 with 13 homers and 71 RBIs this season.

"The fans are awesome here in Japan," he added. "Every player got their own song when they come up to bat."

Associated Press contributed to this report.