SUMMARY
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After solid debuts in the opening weekend of Japan B. League’s 2021-2022 season, Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena, Kobe Paras, and Juan Gomez de Liaño look to sustain their fine play for their respective squads in this weekend’s action.
With Gilas Pilipinas stalwarts Dwight Ramos, Javi Gomez de Liaño, and Kemark Cariño still unavailable due to quarantine protocols, and Ray Parks Jr. still likely out due to a muscle injury, the four Filipino hoopers, who already suited up last weekend, are certainly ready to put on another show for the fans.
Thirdy Ravena and Kobe Paras | San-En NeoPhoenix vs Niigata Albirex BB
Kobe Paras and the visiting Niigata Albirex BB outgunned Thirdy Ravena and the San-en NeoPhoenix in their first home game of the season, 77-64.
In the two Pinoy imports’ first matchup since their UAAP days, Paras showcased his all-around game with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks on 8-of-16 shooting and 4-of-10 from three.
Despite the home loss, Ravena was no slouch either, as he led the losing effort with 16 markers, 4 dimes, 2 boards and 2 steals.
Read the full story here.
Preview
For the first time since their “Battle of Katipunan” days in UAAP Season 82 with the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UP Fighting Maroons, high-flying forwards Thirdy Ravena of the San-En NeoPhoenix and Kobe Paras of the Niigata Albirex BB are set to clash once again on the hardwood, but this time at the Hamamatsu Arena in Japan.
Ravena, who is playing in his second season for the NeoPhoenix, is coming off a huge 21-point outing in their 101-96 overtime victory over his brother Kiefer and the Shiga Lakestars on Sunday, October 3, while Paras is coming off a 10-point performance for the Albirex BB in their 76-75 win against the Kyoto Hannaryz on Sunday.
Ravena and Paras, whose squads are tied at 1-1 in the standings, are both averaging double-digits in points, with the former King Eagle Ravena averaging 16 markers, and the ex-Fighting Maroon Paras putting up 17.5 points.
Interestingly, both players also started for their respective teams in their first two outings, thus making their upcoming matchup more exciting to watch from start to finish.
Game time is 5:05 pm.
Kiefer Ravena | Shiga Lakestars vs Ibaraki Robots
Kiefer Ravena and the Shiga Lakestars bounced back from their previous overtime loss with a thrilling 93-88 come-from-behind win over the Ibaraki Robots in the Japan B. League on Saturday, October 9 at the Ukaruchan Arena.
Ravena dazzled once again for the Lakestars, finishing with an all-around game of 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in victory.
Read the full story here.
Preview
Kiefer Ravena proved he could bring his dazzling all-around game to the B. League as he averaged 15.5 points and 7.5 assists for the Shiga Lakestars in their first two outings.
However, despite his impressive performances, Ravena and the Lakestars failed to sweep the NeoPhoenix in the opening weekend, losing their second match in overtime by 5 points.
With two games of B. League experience already under his belt, expect the former NLEX Road Warriors superstar to further increase his numbers as they take on the Javi Gomez de Liaño-less Ibaraki Robots, who are coming off two blowout losses, this weekend.
Game time is 4:05 pm.
Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. | Nagoya Diamond Dolphins vs Hiroshima Dragonflies
Ray Parks Jr. and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins suffered their third straight loss of the season as they fell to the Hiroshima Dragonflies, 98-90, on Saturday, October 9 at the Dolphins Arena in Nagoya.
In his first official B. League game, Parks, who missed Nagoya’s first two outings in the opening weekend due to a muscle injury, finished with only 2 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal in 13 minutes of play.
Parks and the rest of the Dolphins will look to secure their first win of the season when they take on the same opponents on Sunday at 2:05 pm, Manila time.
Juan Gomez de Liaño | Earthfriends Tokyo Z vs Yamagata Wyverns
The struggles continue for Juan Gomez de Liaño and the Earthfriends Tokyo Z as they absorbed an 81-51 loss to the Yamagata Wyverns in Division 2 of the Japan B. League on Saturday, October 9 at the Yamagata Prefectural Sports Park.
Gomez de Liaño, who had a quiet opening weekend for the Earthfriends, was held scoreless in 1 minute and 32 seconds of action as they remained winless in three outings.
Preview
Among the Filipino imports who made their B. League debuts in the opening weekend, Juan Gomez de Liaño appeared to have the lowest impact on the stat sheet as he only averaged 6 points for the Earthfriends Tokyo Z in two losses against the Kagawa Five Arrows.
The former sweet-shooting guard of the University of the Philippines also tallied the fewest minutes played among the Filipino players last weekend as he was limited to only 3 minutes of action on Saturday, October 2, and just 16 minutes of play on Sunday, October 3.
After a quiet opening weekend, Gomez de Liaño will now look to redeem himself and lead the Earthfriends to their first victory as they face the Yamagata Wyverns in Division 2.
Game time is 5 pm.
– Rappler.com
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