San-En NeoPhoenix Filipino import Thirdy Ravena. –B.LEAGUE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Thirdy Ravena’s ferocious slam dunk highlighted his 25-point explosion as the surging San-en Neophoenix dominated Ray Parks Jr. and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, 92-79, in the 2023-24 Japan B.League season on Saturday.
Ravena dropped 25 points on 11-of-14 shooting to go with four assists, two steals, and a rebound to lead San-En to its fifth straight win and stay on top of the standings with a 23-4 record tied with Alvark Tokyo.
The former Ateneo star went viral after he dunked on Seiga Sakamoto with 3:31 remaining in the second quarter.
「これは凄い…😱」
実況も言葉を失うスーパーダンク！！！@ThirdyRavenaaa @NEO_PHOENIX#Bリーグ pic.twitter.com/JwD2kNgU6P
— B.LEAGUE（Bリーグ） (@B_LEAGUE) January 6, 2024
Parks’ turnover led to Ravena’s breakaway one-handed slam, which posterized Sakamoto for a 41-37 lead.
Parks only scored six points in 18 minutes of playing time as Nagoya slid to a 16-11 record.
Kai Sotto’s Yokohama wins
Yokohama B-Corsairs’ Kai Sotto. -BLEAUGE PHOTO
Meanwhile, Kai Sotto made the most of his 12-minute playing time, delivering nine points, five rebounds, and two blocks in Yokohama B-Corsairs’ 100-95 win over the Toyama Grouses.
The 7-foot-3 center, who returned from a back injury and was loaned from Hiroshima, helped his team win twice in his third game as they improved to a 12-15 record.
Sotto missed the chance of facing Gilas teammate AJ Edu, who didn’t play anew. Toyama dropped to a 3-24 record.
RJ Abarrientos dropped 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists to bring back the winning ways of the Shinshu Brave Warriors (5-22) after beating Nagasaki Velca, 79-73.
However, three Filipino imports had tough losses.
Matthew Wright poured in 17 points on 5-of-6 three-point shooting and dished out seven assists only for the Kyoto Hannaryz (8-19) to absorb a 99-83 rout to the Chiba Jets.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Dwight Ramos had eight points, two rebounds, and two assists but Levanga Hokkaido also slid to an 8-19 record after falling to the Sunrockers Shibuya in overtime, 74-73
Carl Tamayo was scoreless and only got an offensive rebound in two minutes of action as the defending champions Ryukyu Golden Kings (19-9) yielded to the Fighting Eagles Nagoya, 68-57.