Making his presence felt inside the hardcourt, Ilonggo Ferdinand “Thirdy” Ravena III steered San-En NeoPhoenix to outlast Albirex Niigata BB in the 2022-2023 Japan B.League at the Toyohashi General Gymnasium, 97-79.
The native of Iloilo City exploded with 15 points to go with 11 rebounds as the NeoPhoenix returned to their winning column with 13-16 win-loss slate.
The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles played his heart out alongside former NBA center Kyle O’Quinn who led the way for the NeoPhoenix with 26 points and six rebounds. Kazuki Hosokawa and Kosuke Kanamaru had 15 markers apiece while Isaiah Hicks and Takanari Sasaki also chipped in 12 markers apiece as they snapped their losing skid heading into the All-Star Weekend.
Stephen Green tallied 25 points, while Kofi Coburn had double-double 24 points and 15 rebounds as Albirex Niigata BB continued their slump in the tournament with a 4-25 win-loss slate.
Aside from the two American reinforcements, Albirex Niigata BB also drew double-digit contributions from local players Keigo Kimaru (12) and Tensho Sugimoto (10) but were not enough.
Meanwhile, former PBA cager Matthew Wright played superb but his squad Kyoto Hannaryz bowed to Fighting Eagles Nagoya at the Nagoya City Biwajima Sports Center, 94-87.
The former Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters star drilled three three-point baskets for 13 points to go with three rebounds and two assists but the Hannaryz still suffered defeat to drop to 11-18.
Andrew Randall had a double-double 25 points and 11 rebounds, Jeremy Jones added 23 markers, while Takaya Sasayama and Evans Luke had 14 and 13 as Nagoya improved to 18-11.IMT Sports
