MANILA – Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III edged his elder brother Kiefer Ravena in their first encounter in the 2022-2023 Japan B.League Division 1. San-En NeoPhoenix prevailed over Shiga Lakes, 87-79, on Saturday at the Proceed Arena Hikone.
Thirdy finished with nine points, on 4-of-11 shooting, to go with six rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes of action as the NeoPhoenix snapped its losing skid to move up to 15-19 slate.
Kiefer had a better offensive showing with 11 points, on 3-of-10 shooting, along with four assists, two rebounds and a steal as the Lakes continued with its slump to drop to 4-29 record.
Former NBA player Kyle O’Quinn led the way with double-double 27 points and 11 rebounds, Isaiah Hicks added 15 markers, while Kazuki Hosokawa and Kosuke Kanamaru had 11 and 10, respectively, for the NeoPhoenix.
Dequan Jones top-scored for the Lakes with 27 points, including four three-pointers, Kelvin Martin added 15 markers and four rebounds, while Kai Toewns had 11 points for the Lakes.
Meanwhile, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and Nagoya Diamond Dolphins bounced back from their first loss in a long while as they walloped the Sendai 89ers, 90-74, at the Xebio Arena Sendai.
The former TNT Tropang Giga winger finished with 14 points, on 5-of-10 field goal shooting, to go with four rebounds, four assists and four steals as the Diamond Dolphins moved up to 25-9.
Scott Estherton tallied double-double 27 points and 10 rebounds, Yutaro Suda and Takumi Saito chipped in 13 markers apiece, while Coty Clark had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Diamond Dolphins.
Matthew Wright and the Kyoto Hannaryz, on the other hand, also returned to their winning ways following a close 85-79 victory over the Ibaraki Robots at the Adastria Mito Arena.
The former Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters star finished with 13 points, including three outside conversions, to go with six assists and five rebounds as the Hannaryz moved up to 13-21./PN
