Filipino hoopers in the Japan B.LEAGUE showcased their skills with standout performances, including Dwight Ramos' 21 points, Kai Sotto's 20-point return, and Kiefer Ravena's clutch effort.
Filipino hoopers in Japan’s B.LEAGUE delivered notable performances on Saturday, December 21, showcasing their talent despite mixed results for their respective teams..
Dwight Ramos, coming off a three-game winning streak with Levanga Hokkaido, delivered an impressive 21-point performance along with three rebounds and one assist.
However, Hokkaido ran into a red-hot San-en NeoPhoenix team and suffered a 78-102 defeat. Still, Ramos' scoring spark was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise challenging game for his squad.
Kai Sotto, on the other hand, was back in action for the Koshigaya Alphas after a one-game suspension.
The 7-foot-3 big man was ejected in Koshigaya’s match versus San-en last December 15 after clashing with import Nyika Williams. He was assessed two unsportsmanlike fouls, leading to his suspension and a 50,000 yen fine.
In his return, Sotto posted a strong stat line of 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists, but his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Kyoto Hannaryz, who prevailed 92-84.
Kiefer Ravena of the Yokohama B-Corsairs contributed 15 points, two rebounds, and four assists in a nail-biting 79-80 loss to defending champion Hiroshima Dragonflies.
Ravena's effort kept Yokohama competitive until the final moments, but the team fell just short in the closely-contested matchup.
Meanwhile, Ray Parks Jr. and Osaka Evessa secured a commanding 88-76 victory over the powerhouse Chiba Jets.
Parks had a balanced outing with seven points, five rebounds, and three assists, providing solid support as Osaka pulled off the upset.
In other results, AJ Edu had two points, nine rebounds, and two assists in 22 minutes of action in the Nagasaki Velca's 91-75 rout of the Ibaraki Robots.