MANILA – Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena misfired his game-winner and Shiga Lakestars suffered a close 93-91 defeat to Mikawa in the 2021-22 Japan B.League on Sunday at the Aisin Gymnasium.
With the score tied at 91-all with 47 seconds left, Ravena fumbled on his basket attempt, which led to Mikawa notching a 93-91 edge on a conversion by Devante Gardner.
Still, Ravena had its last chance to notch the victory for the Lakestars but the Filipino cager once again misfired his three-point attempt allowing Mikawa to escape with a win.
Ravena finished the match with 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds as the Lakestars slumped to its sixth consecutive defeat as they dropped to 10-24 in the standings.
Prior to Ravena’s misses, the Iloilo City-native played a huge role in Shiga’s uprising from 13 points down en route to taking an 86-85 via a layup from him.
Anthony Lawrence answered back on the other end but a split on the stripe by Teppei Kashiwagura knotted things up at 87-all. Both teams were tied for the last time at 91-all.
Gardner ended up with 35 points on 15-on-25 shooting to lead the Mikawa (19-16) while Lawrence had a near double-double of 29 points and nine rebounds.
Novar Gadson finished the match with near triple-double 22 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, while and Sean O’ Mara also had 22 markers to lead the way for Shiga.
The heartbreaking defeat, however, was a much better showing for Ravena and the Lakestars following their 108-71 defeat to the same team on Saturday night.
Ravena and the Lakestars will look to finally snap their losing skid when they return to action on Wednesday evening against Shimane at the Matsue City Gymnasium./PN
