KIEFER Ravena helped the Yokohama B-Corsairs go off to a superb start to the 2025-26 Japan B.League season, sweeping the Ryukyu Golden Kings at Okinawa Suntory Arena on opening weekend.
The veteran guard notched three points, three rebounds, and two assists in Yokohama's slim 77-75 escape on Saturday, then got nine points, four boards, an assist, and a steal in the B-Corsairs' 79-75 repeat win on Sunday.
Dwight catches fire
Ravena was the lone Pinoy import to go undefeated in this first salvo of the 10th season of the Japanese professional basketball league.
Dwight Ramos also erupted for 29 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals in Levanga Hokkaido's 81-77 squeaker over Nagoya Diamond Dolphins at IG Arena on Sunday.
It was a big bounce back for Ramos after being held to seven points and seven boards in Hokkaido's 68-56 defeat a day earlier.
Ray Parks also made sure his 24-point night won't go for naught as Osaka Evessa nailed the 85-69 triumph over San-En NeoPhoenix at Ookini Arena Maishima on Sunday.
This win atoned for Osaka's 95-85 loss on Saturday where Parks had 21 points and four rebounds.
AJ Edu, on the other hand, aided the Gunma Crane Thunders to a 75-58 opening day win over SeaHorses Mikawa at Kariyashi Taiikukan as he finished with eight points, five rebounds, three blocks, and two dimes on Saturday.
But they could not make it two in a row, losing 98-71 despite the Gilas Pilipinas center's 12 points and six boards.
Jamie Malonzo got a taste of success in Kyoto Hannaryz' 94-85 win over Toyama Grouses at Kyoto City Gymnasium on Saturday as he registered four points and one steal in seven minutes in his debut.
But the former Ginebra forward went scoreless in three minutes of play in their 96-91 loss, only tallying one rebound and one assist.
Francis Lopez remained as the lone Pinoy yet to experience victory in Japan after the Fighting Eagles Nagoya suffered two setbacks at the hands of Chiba Jets at Biwajima Sports Center.
The former University of the Philippines high-flyer only had two points in 16 minutes in his pro debut which resulted in an 82-79 loss on Saturday, before doing better the day after, collecting 10 points in 15 minutes in their 102-76 defeat.
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