Parks, Nagoya dominate Mikawa as Javi GDL, Ibaraki falter late

MANILA, Philippines – Ray Parks Jr. and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins continued their winning ways in the Japan B. League as they took down the Seahorses Mikawa, 82-65, on Wednesday, December 15 at the Wing Arena Kariya.

Parks, who finished with a perfect 6-of-6 clip from three-point range in their previous outing, continued to wax hot for the Diamond Dolphins as he put up 13 points on 3-of-6 shooting from deep, to go with 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in the victory.

Fresh off a 45-point win over the Kyoto Hannaryz on Sunday, Nagoya once again came out with guns blazing, building a double-digit cushion at halftime, 48-38.

The Diamond Dolphins never looked back as they managed to extend their advantage to as many as 19 points late in the third period, 64-45, which proved too big for the Seahorses to overcome with only one quarter left to play.

Scott Eatherton came up with 21 points and 9 rebounds, while Coty Clarke had 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists for Nagoya, which extended its winning streak to three games and moved up to 12-7 in the standings – tied with Mikawa.

Ryogo Sumino led the charge for Mikawa with 20 points, while Davante Gardner added 15 markers and 10 boards. 

Parks and the Diamond Dolphins will look to make it four in a row when they take on Dwight Ramos and the Toyama Grouses, who are also enjoying a three-game winning streak, on Saturday, December 18 at 2:05 pm, Manila time.

Meanwhile, Javi Gomez de Liaño and the Ibaraki Robots suffered a painful 103-92 loss to the Levanga Hokkaido at the Adastria Mito Arena.

With Ibaraki leading by 7, 86-79, with 6:31 remaining in the game, Hokkaido suddenly went on a furious 15-0 run to lead by 8, 94-86, which ultimately sealed the win with just 2:39 left on the clock.

Gomez de Liaño tallied just 1 point and 2 rebounds in 3 minutes of play for the Robots, who dropped to 3-15 in the standings – tied with Thirdy Ravena’s San-En NeoPhoenix.

The Robots will look to secure their fourth win of the season when they face the Alvark Tokyo on Saturday, also at 2:05 pm, Manila time. – Rappler.com