MANILA – Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena and Shiga Lakes prevailed over Yamagata Wyverns, 92-76, in the Japan B.League Division 2 on Saturday night at the Yamagata Prefectural Sports Park.
The former NLEX Road Warriors guard finished with 10 points, to go with three assists, two steals, and one rebound in 22 minutes of action as the Lakes improved to a 28-12 win-loss slate.
Justin Burrell led the way for Shiga with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, Brock Motum added 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Ryan Kriener and Takanori Tahara had 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
“We were able to finish the match on top. I think we were able to regain confidence in our defense. Yamagata scored 24 points in the paint, while we scored 50 points, so I think we were able to dominate the paint,” said Shiga head coach Danny Gomez.
“I think everyone stepped up more defensively, and I could feel the energy from the team with 26 assists. I think we did a good job in terms of how we approached the game,” he added.
James Bell top-scored for the Wyverns with 17 points, Shinya Murakami and Taisei Shirato added 13 and 12 markers, respectively, while Timothy Holyfield and Michael Finke ended with 10 points each.
Filipino-American guard Roosevelt Adams, meanwhile, finished with eight points, four rebounds, and one assist in 21 minutes of action as the Wyverns dropped to a 20-20 record.
Meanwhile, Gregory Slaughter and Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka suffered a lopsided 74-59 defeat to Koshigaya Alphas (25-16) at the Koshigaya City Gymnasium.
The Filipino-American center finished with four points, three rebounds, two blocks, and one assist in 13 minutes of action off the bench for Fukuoka.
Justin Harper, who previously played in the NBA, top-scored for Koshigaya with 21 points, Shun Matsuyama added 15 markers, while Isaac Butts contributed a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds./PN
