THIRDY Ravena and the San-En NeoPhoenix clinched their spot in the 2023-24 Japan B.League playoffs after a 96-79 romp over Osaka Evessa on Saturday at Toyohashi City Gymnasium.
The Filipino guard only had six points, three rebounds, and two assists, but that was enough to help San-En claim back-to-back wins and, more importantly, rise to a 39-10 record atop the Central Division.
First postseason for Thirdy
It will be the first postseason appearance for Ravena in his four years in Japan as the resurgent San-En looks to complete its championship drive this season.
Kiefer Ravena’s Shiga Lakes, on the other hand, was crowned the Western Conference champion in B2 after their 90-78 victory over Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka at Teriha Sekisui House Arena.
The older Ravena tallied 13 points, four assists, two boards, and two steals to help his side extend its win streak to five and improve to 41-15, inching closer to promotion.
In the day’s other games, Ray Parks’ double-double performance lifted Nagoya Diamond Dolphins to a fourth consecutive victory - an 88-75 win over Saga Ballooners at Dolphins Arena.
Parks collected 10 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists to rise to 32-17, still at second place in the West District.
Kai Sotto also put up a solid 10-point, 7-rebound statline in Yokohama B-Corsairs’ 94-93 escape against Ibaraki Robots at Adastria Mito Arena.
That pushed his side up to a 22-27 slate in their late push to gain the two wildcard slots in the playoffs.
Dwight Ramos’ Levanga Hokkaido also ended a three-game skid with an 88-85 thriller over Nagasaki Velca at Hokkai Kitayell.
The Gilas guard led the way with 12 points and four boards as his crew bumped their standing to 14-35.
Wright struggles
Struggles, however, continued to haunt Matthew Wright and RJ Abarrientos.
Wright only had three points, two dimes, and a rebound in Kyoto Hannaryz’ 91-83 defeat to SunRockers Shibuya at Aoyama Gakuin Memorial Hall - its eighth straight loss to sink deeper in the standings at 13-36.
Abarrientos had it much worse, with his Shinshu Brave Warriors falling to a 17th straight defeat, 86-83, at the hands of Gunma Crane Thunders at Openhouse Arena Ota to drop to 6-43.
Over in B2, Roosevelt Adams helped Yamagata Wyverns score a 89-78 win over Niigata Albirex BB at Yamagata Prefectural Sports Park. The Fil-Am winger notched 11 points and four boards as the team boosted its playoff hopes at 28-27.
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