MANILA – Jordan Heading continued his hot streak as Nagasaki Velca breezed past Bambitious Nara, 95-61, in the 2022-2023 Japan B.League Division 2 at the Rohto Arena Nara in Japan.
Heading, a former top-overall pick by the Terrafirma Dyip, waxed hot with 20 points, including two three-point connections, on top of six rebounds, two assists and two steals as the Velca improved to a 22-11 slate.
The Filipino-American winger’s torrid shooting was also a welcome development. He was called up to take part in the Gilas Pilipinas team that will compete in the fifth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers next month.
Matt Bonds chipped in double-double 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jeff Gibbs flirted with triple-double with 17 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while Kanji Takahira ended with 12 points for Velca.
Christian James tallied 14 points. Jeremiah Wilson added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Sheikh Mbozi had double-double 11 points and 12 rebounds as Nara dropped to 9-24.
Roosevelt Adams, meanwhile, struggled with his points as Kagawa Five Arrows suffered a close 79-73 defeat at the hands of Koshigaya Alphas over at the Takamatsu General Gymnasium.
Adams, also a No. 1 pick by the Dyip before, managed just seven points, on 3-of-5 shooting, to go with four rebounds as the Arrows dropped to 9-24. The Alphas moved up to 27-6 slate.
Gregory Slaughter, on the other hand, had quality minutes in his limited playing time but Rising Zephyr Fukuoka tasted a close 83-77 defeat to Aomori Watts over at the Maeda Arena.
The former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings center tallied eight points, on 4-of-6 shooting, to go with four rebounds in 13 minutes as they slumped to 12-21. Watts increased its record to 16-17.
Kobe Paras, for his part, was a non-factor as Altiri Chiba was dealt with a lopsided 93-72 defeat by Ehime Orange Vikings at the Oamishirasato Arena. The former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons forward was scoreless with just a rebound in the loss./PN
