Ilonggo cager Kiefer Ravena starts to make his presence felt in the 2021-22 B.League, leading his team, Shiga Lakestar scored back-to-back wins.
The former NLEX Road Warriors starred the tournament with an 85-77 victory over Ibaraki Robots on Sunday at the Ukaruchan Arena.
He amassed 11 points, including two crucial baskets in the endgame, to go with seven assists, two rebounds, and two steals. The Lakestar swept their weekend series with Robots for a 3-1 win-loss slate.
Tomomasa Ozawa led the way with 17 points, while Novar Gadson came off the bench with 16 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals.
With a 76-75 at the scoreboard, Ozawa fired up five straight points, including a three-pointer from a Ravena pass, as the Lakestar widened the lead to 81-75.
The Robots wanted to crawl back but unable to respond from Ozawa’s flurry as the Lakestar wrapped up the victory with two free throws each from Gadson and O’Mara with under a minute remaining.
Meanwhile, former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons gunner Javi Gomez de Liano was absent anew for the Robots as he is still completing his quarantine requirement in Japan. He will see action against fellow Pinoy hotshots in the Japan basketball hoop.
The Lakestars hit the road for the first time next weekend when they meet the Kyoto Hannaryz (2-2) at Hannaryz Arena, while Ibaraki plays its first home game against Utsunomiya Brex (1-3) at Adastria Mito Arena.
Pinoy dribbler Bobby Ray Parks Jr., on the other handhand, was limited to one point, one rebound and one assists for tean Nagoya Diamond Dolphins. However, the team earned their first win of the season against the Hiroshima Dragonflies, 87-67.
Former UP Fighting Maroons Juan Gomez de Liano, recorded his Japan B.League high 11 points but Earthfriends Tokyo Z suffered a lopsided 84-55 defeat at the hands of Yamagata Wyverns.
Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena and the San-En NeoPhoenix successfully got back at Kobe Paras and Niigata Albirex BB with an 85-82 triumph at Hamamatsu Arena.
Ravena had an all-around showing with 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists as the NeoPhoenix recovered from a 77-64 defeat in the hands of Niigata on Saturday night for a 2-2 win-loss slate.
Paras has committed with foul-trouble all game long and finished with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists – far from his 21 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block when Niigata defeated San-En on Saturday.IMT Sports