B.League: Ray Parks, Nagoya rally to topple No. 1 Ryukyu
MANILA, Philippines — Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and Nagoya erased a 12-point deficit down the stretch to stun top seed Ryukyu, 81-80, in Japan B.League on Sunday at Okinawa Arena.
After being held to just six points in their 97-65 loss to the Golden Kings on Saturday, Parks bounced back with 12 points including a pair of triples and had five rebounds and one assist to end their foes’ 13-game winning streak.
The Diamond Dolphins fought back from a 66-78 deficit with 1:46 to go as they unleashed a blistering 15-2 run capped by the game-clinching free throws of Scott Eatherton in the last eight seconds.
Ryuichi Kishimoto had a chance to steal the game for Ryukyu but he missed his triple.
Eatherton showed the way for Nagoya with 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. Takumi Saito chipped in 14 points, seven assists, four steals and two boards, while Coty Clarke added 11 points and 11 boards.
The Diamond Dolphins boosted their playoff chances with an improved 27-13 record in the third place of the West District.
The Golden Kings stayed on top with 43-5 card. Jack Cooley led the squad with 17 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Kishimoto had 15 points from five treys, while former Meralco import Allen Durham added nine points and six boards.
Meanwhile, Thirdy Ravena missed his fourth consecutive game but the San-En NeoPhoenix asserted their mastery of the Kyoto Hannaryz, 63-58, at Toyohashi City Gymnasium.
Elias Harris powered San-En with 19 points and six rebounds to complete a weekend sweep of Kyoto, while Justin Knox provided the spark from the bench with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds as they improved to 10-39 record.
However, the other Filipino imports suffered blowouts in their respective matches.
Javi Gomez de Liano played his best game in Japan, nailing four triples for 14 points but Ibaraki Robots got routed by the Yokohama B-Corsairs, 107-77, at Hitachi City Ikenokawa Sakura Arena.
De Liano provided the spark off the and joined hands with Chehales Tapscott, who tallied 23 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, only for Ibaraki to absorb its third straight loss, dropping to 13-32.
Kiefer Ravena and the Shiga Lakestars yielded anew to Levanga Hokkaido, 100-73, at Hokkai Kitayell.
Ravena delivered 16 points, three assists, and two rebounds as Shiga fell to 12-36. Novar Gadson led their team with 23 points and seven rebounds, as Sean O’Mara added 10 points and 16 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos struggled with seven points, four assists and three rebounds as Toyama Grouses (20-31) absorbed another lopsided loss to Utsunomiya Brex, 89-63, at Toyama City Gymnasium.
Ravena and Ramos clash on Wednesday as Shiga and Toyama collide to end their respective skids.