With the Asian Quota Player system in both Japan and Korea, it’s always nice to see our local talent take the opportunity to test their mettle with some international competition.
And then it’s awesome to see them thrive.
While our boys abroad have their own unique set of circumstances, one thing is for sure: they can get buckets if needed.
And so, let’s track the current career-highs of active Filipino Asian imports and see where each of them stack up.
33 points - Ethan Alvanao (Wonju DB Promy - KBL)
Set just last weekend, Ethan Alvano is the new scoring leader for Pinoy hoopers abroad in terms of a single-game mark.
The former Alab Pilipinas guard had himself a game in Wonju DB Promy’s overtime win over the Goyang Sono Skygunners, forcing extra session with a clutch fallaway jumper and then assisting on the game winner.
Speaking of assists, he also set his career-high for that with 12.
31 points - Matthew Wright (Kyoto Hannaryz - B.League)
Matthew Wright holds the honor for the highest scoring mark for a Pinoy import in the B.League, and he’s also the only one to breach the 30-point mark there.
Wright set his high mark earlier this season against Thirdy Ravena and the San-en NeoPhoenix. He shot seven three-pointers in that game for Kyoto, also his career-high in Japan.
30 points - Rhenz Abando (Anyang Red Boosters - KBL)
Rhenz Abando is a lot of firsts when it comes to Filipino Asian Quota Players.
Not only is Abando the first to become champion abroad, he’s also the first to score at least 30 when he scored his current career-high against the Seoul SK Knights in the 2022 season.
30 points - SJ Belangel (Daegu KOGAS Pegasus - KBL)
SJ Belangel looks way more comfortable in his second season in the KBL, and his big game earlier this season is certainly proof of that.
Against KCC Egis, Belangel scored his current career-high of 30 points, spiked by five triples.
28 points - Kiefer Ravena (Shiga Lakes - B.League)
Kiefer Ravena’s career-high in Japan’s first division is 28 points, which he’s done twice. The most recent one was ironically against his brother Thirdy.
In the B2, Ravena’s current high is 25 points.
28 points - Thirdy Ravena (San-en NeoPhoenix - B.League)
The longest-tenured Filipino Asian Quota import, Thirdy Ravena is having a season to remember with the San-en NeoPhoenix.
This season has been quite the success so far for Thirdy, and this season also marked his career-high in Japan, scoring 28 against Matthew Wright and the Kyoto Hannaryz earlier this season
Ravena actually scored his career-high in the first game of a two-game weekend set, and then Wright scored his own career-high in the second outing.
26 points - Dwight Ramos (Levanga Hokkaido - B.League)
Dwight Ramos quietly just goes about his business, but the game where he set his current career-high was anything but quiet.
Against Gunma from the 2022-23 season, Dwight scored 21 of his 26 points in the second half, leading the Levanga Hokkaido to a nice victory.
26 points - Kai Sotto (Yokohama B-Corsairs - B.League)
Speaking of loud career-highs, Kai Sotto scored his just last month in a huge Yokohama win over the Chiba Jets.
Sotto fired 26 points against the now EASL and Emperor’s Cup champions, six coming in overtime as the B-Corsairs pulled away to snap what was a 12-game winning streak for Chiba.
24 points - RJ Abarrientos (Shinshu Brave Warriors - B.League)
RJ Abarrientos’ career in Japan was slow to start, but his scoring has slowly started to pick up. His B.League career-high of 24 came in a close win over Toyama early in the season, where he shot six triples, his current high mark in Japan.
In the KBL, where his one and only season netted him Rookie of the Year, RJ’s career-high was 29 for the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus. He shot seven triples in that game.
23 points - Ray Parks Jr. (Nagoya Diamond Dolphins - B.League)
His scoring numbers aren’t as eye-popping in Japan as compared to when he was in the PBA, but Ray Parks Jr. has been an indispensable member of a Nagoya team that’s a perennial B.League playoff contender.
Ray’s career-high in Japan came in 2021, when he scored 23 in a dominant Diamond Dolphins win over the Seahorses Mikawa.
23 points - Miguel Oczon (Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus - KBL)
Miguel Oczon is among the newest Filipino Asian Quota imports, joining the KBL earlier this season.
It didn’t take long for him to make his presence felt, as his career-high came in just his second game, scoring 23 points and the game-winner for Ulsan against the Suwon KT Sonicboom.
22 points - Roosevelt Adams (Yamagata Wyverns - B.League)
Another recent career-high, Roosevelt Adams set his personal best in a Yamagata win against Aomori.
The former PBA top pick was crucial for the Wyverns in that victory, as the team fights to make the B2 playoffs via the wildcard.
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Here are the current career-highs for the rest of the active Filipino Asian Quota imports:
Justin Gutang (Changwon LG Sakers) - 19 points
Avan Nava (Seoul Samsung Thunders) - 18 points
Dave Ildefonso (Suwon KT Sonicboom) - 17 points
Greg Slaughter (Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka) - 16 points
Alex Cabagnot (Goyang Sono Skygunners) - 13 points
Juan Gomez de Liaño (Seoul SK Knights) - 12 points
Calvin Epistola (Busan KCC Egis) - 10 points
(Stats through March 26, 2024 games)