Dwight Ramos and his Toyama Grouses dealt Kiefer Ravena’s Shiga Lakestars its ninth straight defeat while Kobe Paras’ Niigata Albirex BB and Thirdy Ravena’s San-En Neophoenix failed to arrest their respective skids during the Saturday’s B League action, Dec 11.
Toyama bounced back from a two-game road sweep at the hands of the Ryukyu Golden Kings last week and fended off a pesky Shiga squad, 107-102, in its home court at the Urakuchan Arena.
Ramos and Grouses world import Julian Mavunga hit huge baskets down the stretch to douse a searing comeback bid from the Lakestars.
After being down by as many as 10 points in the second half, Shiga took a one-point lead, 98-97, with 2:50 remaining in the game. Ramos and Mavunga then conspired for a quick 7-0 answer to create the much-needed separation.
Ramos unloaded 18 points while Mavunga had a monster outing of 38 markers, eight boards and nine dimes to help Toyama improve to a 5-12 win-loss record. Kiefer, other hand, had a quiet night with just eight points as the free fall continues for his Lakestars who are now 6-11 in the standings.
Meanwhile, Thirdy’s return from a two-week suspension couldn’t prevent San-En from absorbing its ninth straight defeat after a 101-89 loss against No. 2 team in the east, Chiba Jets.
Thirdy was solid in his return, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. San-En was actually holding its ground in the first three quarters up until the Jets exploded for 33 points in the final salvo to notch its 13th win against four losses.
Chiba was led by Josh Duncan’s 36 points, 10 of those coming from the back-breaking fourth quarter rally.
Kobe Paras also suffered the same fate as his Niigata was sent reeling to its 13th straight loss after absorbing 79-70 beating from the Sun Rockers Shibuya. Paras struggled with only three points to show as Niigata’s comeback bid from 18-points down fell short.