Javi Gomez de Liano finally found his groove in his fourth game in Japan B. League but the Ibaraki Robots still surrendered a 105-96 decision to the Kawasaki Brave Thunders in their homecourt at the Adastria Mito Arena on Saturday, Nov 13.
Gomez de Liano finished with his best game so far, unloading 13 points and five rebounds on a 5-of-9 shooting from the field. The former University of the Philippines standout also logged 23 minutes in the game – his most since making his B.League debut last week.
Ibaraki was actually in control for the most part of the first three quarters as it led by as many as 13 points. The Robots however suffered from a series of scoring droughts in the first five minutes of the payoff period, allowing the Brave Thunders to score consecutive baskets to take an 88-81 lead.
Ibaraki tried to restore order with Javi drilling a three-pointer to cut the lead down to four, 88-84.
The Robots climbed their way back to the game as it tied the game at 96-all after a triple from Kohei Fukuzawa with a little over a minute left in the game.
That, however, proved to be Ibaraki’s final stand as Kawasaki scored nine straight points, first from a trey from Takumi Hasegawa, a fastbreak layup from Nick Fazekas and two free throws and a jumper from Yuma Fuji to close out the game.
Eric Jacobsen led the Robots with 20 markers and seven rebounds.
Fazekas starred for Kawasaki with monster double-double of 30 points and 16 rebounds while fujis provided support with 16 markers, eight of those scored in the final frame.
Ibaraki will have the chance to avenge for the loss on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.