Playoff-bound Kai Sotto, Hiroshima lose to Shimane 


At a glance

  • The Dragonflies saw their six-game winning streak snapped before their eyes and absorbed a 37-13 record in fourth place and remained tied with the Alvark Tokyo.


Kai Sotto and the Hiroshima Dragonflies fell at the hands of the Shimane Susanoo Magic in overtime, 100-88, in the Japan B. League on Sunday, April 9, at the Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall.

Filipino import Sotto registered 13 points on a decent 5-of-7 shooting including five rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes of action.

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Kai Sotto of the Hiroshima Dragonflies. (Japan B. League on Facebook)


Hiroshima came from an 80-71 upset win over Shimane the previous day but couldn’t complete a sweep in their two-game weekend matchup.

The Dragonflies saw their six-game winning streak snapped before their eyes and absorbed a 37-13 record in fourth place and remained tied with the Alvark Tokyo.

Hiroshima and Ray Parks Jr.’s Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, though, are through the playoffs by virtue of being the top 2 among wildcard teams.

Meanwhile, Kiefer Ravena showed way for the Shiga Lakes against the Fighting Eagles Nagoya, 86-61.

Ravena had an all-around outing of 14 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Ivan Buva added a double-double performance of 19 points and 13 rebounds for a 12-38 card.

In another play, Dwight Ramos’ Levanga Hokkaido pulled off back-to-back weekend wins over the Gunma Crane Thunders, 92-89.

Ramos only had two points in a dismal 1-of-7 shooting, which was a disappointing turnout after his 14-point finish a day prior as they improved 16-34 in the tournament.

On the other hand, Matthew Wright and the Kyoto Hannaryz suffered a crashing 93-80 defeat against Carl Tamayo’s Ryukyu Golden Kings.

Wright posted 17 points and 12 assists following another 21 points, six assists and four steals in the back-to-back losing effort as they slid 17-33 in the standings.

Tamayo, though, went from barely seeing action to a limited 10-minute play where he ended up with only two points and two rebounds.

The Golden Kings remained in third place with a 39-11 record as they are being chased by Tokyo and Hiroshima.