Dwight Ramos and his Levanga Hokkaido haunted his former team Toyama Grouses while Thirdy Ravena and the San-En NeoPhoenix extended their winning run to three in the B. League 2022-23 season on Saturday, Oct. 15.
Unlike last week when they got swept by San-En, Ramos didn’t have to carry much of the load for Hokkaido, scattering an all-around game of nine points, four rebounds and nine assists to help his team notch its first win, 100-77, at the expense of his former team.
Alex Murphy and Ryoma Hashimoto stepped up with 17 points apiece as Hokkaido went off to a blistering 27-9 start to improve to a 1-4 record in the standings.
Just like Ramos, Thirdy also filled the stat sheet with eight points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals in San-En’s 90-80 victory over the Ibaraki Robots. Isaiah Hicks exploded for 26 points – most of which came in the second half when the NeoPhoenix pulled away for good to extend their winning run to three for a 3-2 slate.
Ray Parks Jr. also came out triumphant after his Nagoya Diamond Dolphins turned back Yokohama B. Corsairs, 91-84. The Filipino import saw limited action with only 17 minutes of play, contributing eight points, three rebounds and two assists, missing all of his attempts from the three-point line. Takumi Saito led the way for the Dolphins with 20 points.
Ryukyu Golden Kings, meanwhile, routed Niigata Albeirex BB, 93-53. Jay Washington who only played when the game was already done and settled and went scoreless with an assist and a steal across his name in six minutes of play.
Matthew Wright finally returned for Kyoto Hannaryz after missing its past two games last week, although that wouldn’t spare his team from absorbing another loss, this time a 74-69 decision against Mikawa SeaHorses. The former PBA star had 10 points, four assists and three steals in the losing effort.
Also absorbing a defeat was Kiefer Ravena whose Shiga Lakes, for the third straight game, figured in an overtime game, although, unlike the first two, fell short this time, 86-83, against the Hiroshima Dragonflies.
Kiefer contributed 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals but were not enough to help his team score its third straight win. Ivan Buba had 16 points and seven rebounds to pace the Shiga but Kerry Blackshear proved to be the biggest thorn to the side of the Lakes after unloading 20 points. Justine Baltazar rode the bench in the win for the Dragonflies.
In B2 League, Jordan Heading continued his fiery offensive display, erupting for 25 points built on five triples to lead Nagasaki Velca to a 103-87 victory over Aomori Watts.