MANILA – Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III had a triumphant return to San-En NeoPhoenix. They defeated Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, 85-82, in the 2021-22 B.League season on Wednesday night at the Dolphins Arena.
The Iloilo City native scored 12 points, on 5-of-6 shooting, in just 12 minutes of action off the bench as the NeoPhoenix climbed out of the cellar with 6-30 win-loss slate.
This was the former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles guard’s first game since playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers late last month.
Holding to an 80-79 lead with under a minute left, Robert Carter converted two free throws as the NeoPhoenix widened the lead to three before forcing the Diamond Dolphins to a turnover.
Elias Harris added up to the NeoPhoenix’s edge with two more free throws. After a missed basket by Nagoya, Carter sealed the with for San-En via split free throw.
Bobby Ray Parks, meanwhile, was held to nine points and six rebounds as the Diamond Dolphins fell to 21-10 win-loss slate to remain at third in the west.
Unlike Ravena, Dwight Ramos suffered defeat in his return for Toyama Grouses after being stunned by lowly Osaka Evassa over at the Ookini Arena Maishima.
Ramos, who also suited up for Gilas, started for the Grouses and finished with nine points, on 4-of-8 field goal shooting, to go with five rebounds in 20 minutes of action.
With the loss, the team’s second in the last four matches, the Grouses dropped to 16-23 win-loss slate, while the Evassa improved to 15-20.
In other results, Kobe Paras and the Niigata Albirex BB suffered a 93-64 defeat to Tokyo, while Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena and Shiga Lakestars bowed to Kawasaki, 103-56./PN
