KIEFER Ravena and the Shiga Lakes took a step closer to returning to the first division of Japan B.League, but their path will have to go through Roosevelt Adams and the Yamagata Wyverns.
The two clubs progressed to the B2 semifinals after pulling through in their quarterfinal duels in three games on Sunday.
Ravena uncorked 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting from deep to help Shiga take the 92-79 Game Three win over Aomoti Wat’s at Shiga Daihatsu Arena.
He also had six assists and five boards in the clincher as the two teams split the first two games.
Shiga dropped Game One, 88-84, on Friday before forcing this decider with a 93-79 rout on Saturday.
Roosevelt Adams also contributed five points and four rebounds in Yamagata’s 86-76 Game Three victory over Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka at Iizuka City General Gymnasium.
The Wyverns also lost the first game, 88-80, on Friday before bouncing back with a 65-61 escape on Saturday.
Now, the two squads will have to fight not just to advance to the B2 Finals but also a ticket for promotion next season.
Back in B1, Ray Parks and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins’ kept their quest to claim home court advantage alive with an 81-77 conquest over Saga Ballooners at Saga Arena.
Parks unloaded 13 points built on three treys, on top of three rebounds and three assists as the Diamond Dolphins moved up to 40-19.
Nagoya can clinch the home-court advantage with a win on Monday as it will tie Ryukyu Golden Kings in the standings at 41-19. The Diamond Dolphins hold the tiebreaker after sweeping their four duels this season.
San-En NeoPhoenix, however, stumbled with two straight losses to end their elimination schedule after a weekend sweep at the hands of SeaHorses Mikawa at Sky Hall Toyota.
Thirdy Ravena tallied seven points, six boards, and one dime in the NeoPhoenix’s 91-74 setback on Saturday, before notching 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in their 79-72 defeat on Sunday.
The Central Conference Champions are still awaiting their opponent after ending the prelims at 46-14.
Matthew Wright put up 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal in Kyoto Hannaryz’ 82-65 loss to Nagasaki Velca at Shimazu Arena as they dropped their penultimate game to fall to 17-42.
Kai Sotto sat out Yokohama B-Corsairs’ 87-79 win over the Kawasaki Brave Thunders at Yokohama Buntai. They finish the season at 24-36.
Unfortunately, Shinshu Brave Warriors will be relegated to B2 after finishing in the bottom two this season.
RJ Abarrientos was scoreless in three minutes in the Brave Warriors’ 82-59 blowout defeat to SunRockers Shibuya at Aoyama Gakuin Memorial Hall.
Shinshu (10-50) and the Toyama Grouses (4-56), which suffered a 32-game losing skid to end the season, will both be sent to the second division next year.
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