MANILA – Kiefer Ravena delivered timely hits for Shiga Lakes as they took a 96-87 overtime win against Koshigaya Alphas in Game 1 of the Japan B.League Division 2 finals on Saturday afternoon at the Shiga Daihatsu Arena.
The Ilonggo guard knocked down a basket and two free throws late in the fourth quarter to surge the Lakes ahead at 79-77 before the Alphas responded with a connection from L.J. Peak to force an overtime.
In the extension period, Brock Motum and Ryan Kriener set the tone for the Lakes to take a 90-83 lead before Ravena sealed the championship series-opener win with a layup and three free throws.
Ravena finished with 16 points, three assists, one rebound, and a steal in almost 32 minutes of action as the Lakes took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three title series.
Motum led the way for Shiga with 37 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, Kriener delivered a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, and Justin Burrell contributed 14 points and nine boards.
Former PBA import Justin Harper tallied a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds, Peak added 25 markers, and Shun Matsuyama contributed 12 points for the Alphas.
Meanwhile, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and Nagoya Diamond Dolphins bowed to the Hiroshima Dragonflies, 79-75, in Game 1 of Division 1 semifinals at the Dolphins Arena.
The former TNT Tropang Giga guard was hampered by foul trouble the entire game, finishing with just two points, two rebounds, one assist, and a steal in 14 minutes of action.
The Diamond Dolphins, however, struggled heavily in the third quarter as they were limited to just three-points to see their 45-31 halftime lead turned to a 48-55 deficit.
Nagoya still managed to come close in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 68-70, but Hiroshima responded with connections from Kerry Blackshear Jr. and Nick Mayo./PN
