MANILA – Bobby Ray Parks Jr. spearheaded the attack for Nagoya Diamond Dolphins as they defeated Osaka Evessa, 86-78, in the Japan B.League Division 1 on Sunday night at the Dolphins Arena.
The former TNT Tropang Giga winger finished with 17 points, two rebounds, and two assists in 28 minutes of action as the Diamond Dolphins recorded their 11th victory in 14 games.
Takumi Saito also finished with 17 points, including three outside shots, Robert Franks added a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Yutaro Suda and Joshua Smith had 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for Nagoya.
“We knew from the beginning that it was going to be a tough match,” said Diamond Dolphins head coach Sean Dennis. “But we have been playing basketball like the old Dolphins, which I feel is really good.”
Angelo Caloiaro top-scored with 19 points, Shawn Long added 13 markers and nine rebounds, while Makoto Kinoshita and Ian Hummer had 12 and 11, respectively, as Osaka dropped to 9-5.
Matthew Wright and Kyoto Hannaryz, meanwhile, had a rare back-to-back win this season as they repeated over Shinshu Brave Warriors, 94-85, at the Kataoka Arena in Kyoto.
Wright, formerly of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, managed to contribute five points, two assists, one rebound, and one steal as the Hannaryz improved to a 3-11 slate.
Rhon Jay Abarrientos, on the other hand, was held scoreless in almost six minutes of action as the Brave Warriors’ starting point guard as they dropped to 4-10 win-loss slate.
Carl Tamayo finished with three points and two rebounds in five minutes of play as the defending champions Ryukyu Golden Kings (11-3) prevailed over Shimane Susanoo Magic (8-6), 91-84.
AJ Edu, for his part, struggled with just two points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal as Toyama Grouses remained winless in 14 games as they bowed to Utsunomiya Brex (11-3), 80-51./PN
