Kobe Paras and Niigata Albirex were handed a third straight defeat in Japan’s B.League after falling short to Levanga Hokkaido, 72-69, Sunday, Oct. 17 at the Hokkai Kitayell in Sapporo.
Paras topscored with 18 points but Niigata couldn’t convert a game-tying three in the end and fell to 2-4 three weeks into the Japanese league’s 2021-22 season.
He also had three rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes for Niigata, which made it close this time after an 88-75 defeat to Hokkaido the other day.
The former University of the Philippines standout had better shooting numbers this time, making 6-of-12 shots after going 4-of-13 despite scoring 13 in the first meeting.
Trailing 70-69, Niigata had chances to take the lead in the final minute but was called for a shot clock violation while import Tshilidzi Nephawe couldn’t secure the rebound after a stop.
Hokkaido import De’mon Brooks immediately after to make it a three-point game. Paras got the ball after a timeout before finding teammate Rosco Allen for a possible three from the right elbow.
But Allen’s contested shot fell short, and Hokkaido was able to come away with its fifth victory in six outings this season.
Niigata actually led 24-9 at the end of the first quarter with Paras accounting for 10 points.
Hokkaido, however, inched its way back in the next two periods to set up a back-and-forth battle in the final canto.