FILE–Kiefer Ravena (in red) and the Filipino imports are part of the B.League All-Star festivities. B.LEAGUE PHOOT
MANILA, Philippines—Japan B.League canceled its All-Star Game in Okinawa after a total of 27 players tested positive for COVID-19 more than a week before the festivities on January 14 and 15.
This will be the second straight year the the league canceled its midseason spectacle following the rise of COVID-19 cases not only within the league but in all of Japan.
From keeping cases to less than 500 from since October 17, cases in the country reached 2,490 on Wednesday, 623 of which were from Okinawa.
“I am very sorry,” said B.League president Shinji Shimada in a statement posted on the team’s website.
“We have been preparing for the event with the help of many people, including Okinawa Prefecture and Okinawa City. We would like to express our gratitude to Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture Basketball Association, partner companies, media, and all concerned for their cooperation. And I think that many fans are disappointed that it has been canceled for the second consecutive year. I am very sorry,”
The All-Star Game would’ve served as the first exhibition where all nine Filipino players in the B.League would feature in one contest.
Brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena were supposed to go up against each other in the Skills Challenge while Paras was slated to take part in the dunk contest.