KAI Sotto will ring in the new year on a high as the Koshigaya Alphas capped 2024 on a two-game win streak, sweeping cellar dweller Shiga Lakes this past weekend at Shiga Daihatsu Arena in the Japan B.League season.
The Gilas Pilipinas center nabbed a double-double of 16 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, and one assist in their 89-62 victory on Sunday before following it up in the 88-78 triumph on Monday with an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double to go with two blocks.
Those efforts allowed Koshigaya to rise to 7-18, good for sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Matthew Wright also led Kawasaki Brave Thunders to a rare two-game sweep over Ibaraki Robots at Kawasaki Todoroki Arena.
The veteran gunner poured 16 points on top of six assists, two boards, and one steal in their 82-74 rout on Saturday before erupting for 23 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in their 89-78 escape on Sunday.
That pushed the Brave Thunders to a 6-20 record.
Ray Parks had decent contributions for Osaka Evessa in their bounce back win over Akita Northern Happinets at CNA Arena Akita on Sunday.
He chipped in seven points, three rebounds, and one steal in their 84-80 win on Sunday to make up for their 85-73 Saturday defeat where he corralled 10 points, five boards, an assist, and a block.
The weekend split allowed the Evessa to move up to 14-12.
AJ Edu also had meager contributions in Nagasaki Velca’s series split over Sendai 89ers at Kamei Arena Sendai. He only tallied four points, two blocks, a rebound, and an assist in their 79-66 win on Saturday, but saw that six-game win streak snapped with a 76-70 defeat on Sunday, where he chimed in six points, seven rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
That kept the Velca on an even 13-13 record to end the calendar year.
Unfortunately, wins eluded Kiefer Ravena and Dwight Ramos to end the year.
Ravena’s Yokohama B-Corsairs fell to San-En NeoPhoenix at Toyohashi City General Gymnasium.
He racked up 15 points, four dimes, and two steals in their slim 84-80 loss on Saturday, before collecting seven points and four assists in their 87-72 loss on Sunday. That dropped the B-Corsairs to a 9-17 card.
Ramos’ Levanga Hokkaido was sent to their fourth consecutive loss by a SeaHorses Mikawa weekend sweep at Es Con Field Hokkaido.
In their 86-69 blowout loss on Saturday, the charismatic guard only nabbed four points, five assists, a rebound, and a steal, while he only had seven points, two rebounds, and two assists in a tough 75-74 loss on Sunday to drop to 9-17.
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