THIRDY Ravena was the lone Filipino player in action on Saturday in the 2022-23 Japan B.League season as the San-En NeoPhoenix finally put a stop to their eight-game skid with a 92-85 win over Kyoto Hannaryz at Kyoto City Gymnasium.
Filipinos in B.League Division 1 news
The Gilas Pilipinas guard was a huge spark off the bench for San-En, dropping 15 points from two treys, six rebounds, five assists, and one steal to hike their record to 9-11.
Ravena was just one of five players to score in double figures for the NeoPhoenix which were revitalized by the return of former league MVP Kosuke Kanamaru.
Ryusei Sasaki led San-En with 18 points and eight assists, Isaiah Hicks had 17 points, seven boards, and three dimes, and Kazuki Hosokawa scored all of his 15 points from deep.
Kanamaru also chimed in 15 points, while Daniel Giddens got 12 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in the NeoPhoenix's balanced attack.
Unfortunately, Matthew Wright missed the game due to a sprained ankle and spoiled what would have been his first faceoff against Ravena.
Cheick Diallo led the Hannaryz with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocks for their fifth straight loss and slide to 7-13.
Justine Baltazar, on the other hand, was deactivated by Hiroshima Dragonflies in their 112-87 rout of Levanga Hokkaido at Hokkai Kitayell.
It was Hiroshima's fourth straight win to climb up to 16-4, while sending Hokkaido to its fourth straight defeat at 5-15.
Dwight Ramos has missed the last nine games for Levanga after his sprained ankle.
The same injury bug also plagued the other Pinoy imports.
Bobby Ray Parks, still recovering from a concussion, watched from the sidelines as Nagoya Diamond Dolphins clipped Shimane Susanoo Magic, 85-79, at Matsue City Gymnasium.
Nagoya won five of its last six games to rise to 15-5 with Parks missing his second straight game.
Kiefer Ravena, also nursing a leg injury, was also not deployed as Shiga Lakes fell to Shinshu Brave Warriors, 72-65, at Shiga Daihatsu Arena.
Shiga lost three straight games to remain near the bottom of the standings at 4-16.