MANILA – Kyoto Hannaryz’s Matthew Wright and Levanga Hokkaido’s Dwight Ramos bounced back with separate wins in the 2022-2023 Japan B.League Division 1 action over the weekend.
Wright and the Hannaryz recovered from their Saturday defeat with a 89-82 beating of Osaka Evessa at the Kyoto City Gymnasium. The Filipino-Canadian guard exploded for 22 points, including four triples, to go with six assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Former NBA player Cheick Diallo had double-double 17 points and 13 rebounds, Jerrod Uthoff and Kanta Mizuno added 13 markers apiece, while Jotaro Mitzuda ended with 12 points as the Hannaryz moved up to 15-23.
Makoto Kinoshita finished with 26 points, including six three-pointers, Sean O’Mara added 20 markers, while Kyle Hunt ended with 22 points as the Evessa dropped to 18-20 win-loss record.
Ramos and Hokkaido also returned to their winning ways following a 77-64 beating of Utsonomiya Brex at the Brex Arena Utsonomiya. The Filipino forward, however, was a non-factor as he was scoreless with one assist in nine minutes of action.
Sean Long top-scored with double-double 29 points and 16 rebounds, Brock Motum tallied 25 points and seven rebounds as Hokkaido moved up to 9-29 with the stunning victory.
Makoto Hiejima finished with 16 points, including two three-pointers, Seiji Uno added 12 markers, while Shinji Takashima ended with 11 points as Brex dropped to 20-18 with the loss.
Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III finished with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists but San-En NeoPhoenix (16-22) bowed to Ryukyu Golden Kings (29-9), 73-63, at the Hamamatsu Arena.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. had 10 points, two assists, one rebound and a steal in 23 minutes as Nagoya Diamond Dolphins (27-11) bowed to Chiba Jets (34-4), 94-76, at the Funabashi Arena.
Matthew Aquino recorded three points and one rebound in six minutes of play as Shinshu Brave Warriors (18-20) suffered a close 68-65 defeat to Sunrockers Shibuya (16-20) at the White Ring./PN
