MANILA – Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena and Shiga Lakestars returned to their winning ways in the 2021-2022 Japan B.League via an 82-80 escape over Hiroshima Dragonflies on Sunday at the YMIT Arena.
The former NLEX Road Warriors guard tallied 16 points, six assists, three steals, and two rebounds as the Lakestars improved to 14-37 after winning four of its last seven games.
Down 70-64 early in the fourth quarter, Ravena spearheaded Lakestars’ 16-2 scoring run as they took an 80-72 advantage. Hiroshima rallied to within 80-82 but missed some crucial free throws in the endgame.
Novar Gadson led the way with 26 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Reon Shibuta scored 12 markers for the Lakestars, which lost to Hiroshima on Saturday, 97-96.
Meanwhile, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and Nagoya Diamond Dolphins formalized their entry in the playoffs with an 89-86 win over San-En NeoPhoenix on Sunday at the Toyohashi City Gymnasium.
Parks, who recently signed a two-year extension with the team, tallied 15 points, including four triples, to go with five assists and two steals as the Diamond Dolphins moved up to 30-13.
However, it was not a walk in a park of a win for Nagoya as the NeoPhoenix threatened to within 86-87 with seven seconds left but two freebies by Parks wrapped up the win for the Diamond Dolphins.
Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III made his return for the NeoPhoenix with eight points, four assists, and three rebounds. They dropped to 10-42 in the standings.
Dwight Ramos, on the other hand, was limited on offense but Toyama Grouses still went on to defeat Kyoto Hannaryz, 85-80, over at the Kyoto City Gymnasium.
Ramos was held to just six points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Brice Johnson led the way with 27 markers and 11 rebounds as Toyama improved to 22-32.
Javi Gomez de Liano, for his part, tallied season-high 17 points but was not enough as Ibaraki Robots bowed to Levanga Hokkaido at the Hokkai Kitayell./PN
