Kawazaki shuts door on Parks, Nagoya


Photo from B.League

Ray Parks’ campaign in the 2021-22 season of Japan’s B.League came to an end Sunday, May 15 after the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins were swept by the Kawasaki Brave Thunders in their best-of-three playoff series.

Parks and the Diamond Dolphins went down 85-70 at the hands of the Brave Thunders, who advanced in the semifinals before their home fans at the Todoroki Arena.

Kawasaki took the series opener, 97-71, the other day.

The only Filipino player who appeared in the Japanese league postseason, Parks finished with seven points on 2-of-7 shooting with four rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes.

Nagoya leaned on an eight-game winning streak before midseason before finishing the regular season at 34-15, good for seventh-best in the league.

Parks’ teammate Tenketsu Harimoto scored 22 points for Nagoya in a losing effort.

Former PBA import Nick Fazekas had 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to complete Kawasaki’s series triumph.