MANILA – Kai Sotto had another double-double showing as Yokohama B-Corsairs prevailed over Toyama Grouses, 84-69, in the Japan B.League Division 1 on Wednesday night at the Yokohama International Pool.
The 7-foot-3 Filipino center finished with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds to go with two assists, and two blocks as the B-Corsairs improved to 20-23 win-loss record.
According to Sotto, it was the second half adjustment by the B-Corsairs coaching staff that led to their dominant victory against the Grouses, which continues to play without Gilas Pilipinas center AJ Edu.
“In the first half, we were slow and soft, especially from the start, and we didn not get off to the start we wanted, and there were a lot of turnovers that forced us,” Sotto said in a post-game interview.
“However, we were able to make solid changes based on the first half, make adjustments, and play in a positive manner,” added the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets center.
Yuki Kawamura led the way for B-Corsairs with 21 points and 10 assists, Jarrod Uthoff also had a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Devin Oliver ended with 11 points and 16 rebounds.
Quincy Miller top-scored for the Grouses with 24 points, fellow former PBA import Johnathan Williams added a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Myles Hesson ended with 11 points as they dropped to 4-39.
Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos misfired from the field as the Levanga Hokkaido (12-31) sustained a 72-61 defeat to the Sendai 89ers (19-24) over at the Xebio Arena Sendai.
The Gilas Pilipinas forward finished with just two points, on 1-of-5 field goal shooting, to go with nine rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in 31 minutes of action for Hokkaido.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. tallied 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds as Nagoya Diamond Dolphins (28-15) sustained a 103-91 defeat to Shimane Susanoo Magic (25-18) at the Dolphins Arena./PN
