STARTED from the bottom, now they’re champs.
San-En NeoPhoenix completed a turnaround for the ages, with Thirdy Ravena finally tasting gold in the Japan B.League after his crew was crowned as the Central Conference champions.
The Filipino guard produced 13 points, two rebounds, and two steals in San-En’s 96-62 blowout of Toyama Grouses at Toyama City Gymnasium on Wednesday.
Thirdy in disbelief
“Spent four years fighting with this team and hindi ko pa rin mapaniwalaan na umabot kami dito!,” said Ravena. “Hindi pa tapos ang laban pero alam ni Lord kung gaano kalaking bagay nito para team lalo na sa akin. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng sumuporta sa hirap at ginhawa!”
This extended the playoff-bound NeoPhoenix’s win streak to four. They hold a 41-10 record overall.
Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos was also victorious as Levanga Hokkaido nipped Ibaraki Robots, 79-70, at Hokkai Kitayell.
The Gilas guard tallied 12 points, four assists, two boards, two steals, and a block in this bounce back win as Hokkaido rose to 15-36.
Ray Parks’ Nagoya Diamond Dolphins also outlasted Ryukyu Golden Kings, 98-95, at Okinawa Arena, with the Pinoy guard contributing 13 points, four rebounds, and one assist for their sixth straight and improve to 34-17.
Matthew Wright and the Kyoto Hannaryz also claimed an 82-78 squeaker over Nagasaki Velca at Kataoka Arena Kyoto, with the Fil-Canadian adding five points, three boards, two assists, and a steal to halt the home team’s nine-game slide and move up to 14-37.
Kai double-double in vain
Kai Sotto’s double-double performance, however, went for naught as Yokohama B0Corsairs fell to Shinshu Brave Warriors, 84-66 at Yokohama Buntai. The 7-foot-3 center nabbed 12 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, but Yokohama fell to 22-29.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
