FILE – Niigata’s Kobe Paras. Photo from B.League
MANILA, Philippines—Niigata and Kobe Paras absorbed their seventh straight loss as they bowed to Ryukyu, 86-75, in their inter-conference clash in the 2021-22 Japan B.League season Saturday at City Hall Plaza Ao-re Nagaoka.
The Albirex BB slid to a 2-8 record in the East Conference while the Golden Kings grabbed hold of the top seed in the West Conference.
Holding a small 46-43 lead early in the third, the Golden Kings quickly went into the offensive and launched a 19-2 surge to stretch their advantage to 20, 65-45, after a pair of free throws by Dwayne Evans with 3:46 left in the quarter.
Evans finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds for Ryukyu while Imamura Keita added 23 points and five boards.
Former Meralco import Allen Durham pitched in 15 points and 10 rebounds to help the Golden Kings.
Rosco Allen had 21 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals to lead the Albirex BB while Paras struggled mightily with seven points on 3-of-13 shooting and three rebounds.
Toyama, meanwhile, could not complete its comeback against Kawasaki, 91-87, in another at Kawasaki Todoroki Arena.
Dwight Ramos and Julian Mavunga scored on back-to-back baskets to pull the Grouses within three, 85-82, with 1:15 left but Nick Fazekas, who once played for the San Miguel Beer in the PBA, showed his composure after knocking down two late-game field goals for the Brave Thunders’ 89-84 lead with 16 seconds to play.
Fazekas finished with a game-high 27 points while Yuma Fujii added 23 points, eight assists, and three steals for Kawasaki, which improved to 7-3 in the East.
Mavunga had 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists for the Grouses while Matsui Keijiro added 21 points.
Dwight Ramos also finished in double figures with 13 points to go along four rebounds, seven assists, and two steals as Toyama slipped to a 1-9 record in the West.