Kobe Paras made his Japan B. League debut for Niigata. ALBIREX BB PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Kobe Paras dazzled in his Japan B.League debut for Niigata on Saturday.
Paras got off to a hot start and finished with 25 points but it wasn’t enough as the Albirex BB fell to the Kyoto Hannaryz, 85-81 at City Hall Plaza Aore Nagaoka.
The 6-foot-6 forward scored 20 points in the first half alone, helping Niigata go on a 21-point turnaround and take a 50-41 halftime lead after trailing by 12.
Paras hit four 3-pointers and had four assists that went with two steals, making a good account of himself in his first game in the professional ranks.
David Simon led Kyoto with a solid effort on both ends, collecting a game-high 28 points on top of two steals and two blocks.
The two teams meet again on Sunday.