Ravena stays hot but San-En bows to Niigata


Photo from Japan B.League

Thirdy Ravena had another solid performance but it was not enough to prevent the San-En Neophoenix from absorbing an 86-79 loss to Albirex Niigata in Sunday’s B.League action in Toyohashi, Japan.

Ravena came off the bench to score 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting with four rebounds and one assist in almost 18 minutes but the Neophoenix saw their three-game winning streak snapped in front of a disappointed home crowd at the Toyohashi City Central Gymnasium.

San-En dropped to 5-18 sans import Kyle Hunt, who didn’t see action for unspecified reasons.

Without Hunt, the Neophoenix fell short of repeating their 85-81 victory over the same squad Saturday afternoon at the same venue.

Inflicting further damage to the Neophoenix was three-time PBA Best Import Allen Durham, who made a pair of baskets to seal Albirex Niigata’s road win.

The resident import of the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Governors’ Cup finished with 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting while grabbing 11 rebounds for Albirex.

Durham’s last basket gave Niigata an 85-75 lead with over a minute remaining in the match.

Up next for San-En is a pair of road games next weekend against Akita Northern Happinets