B.League: Ray Parks, Nagoya book playoffs, spoil Thirdy Ravena’s return
MANILA, Philippines — Bobby Ray Parks Jr. spoiled Thirdy Ravena’s return as Nagoya secured its entry to Japan B.League playoffs after beating San-En, 89-86, on Sunday at Toyohashi City Gymnasium.
Parks delivered 15 points with an efficient 4-of-5 shooting from deep to go with five assists and two steals.
Article continues after this advertisementThe National University standout displayed nerves of steel as he sealed their victory with two clutch free throws after Yoshiyuki Matsuwaki trimmed the San-En’s deficit to just one, 87-86.
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第3Q残り、8:04‼️‼️
\ドルフィンズ 54-45 三遠#バスケットLIVE 応援機能「ON FIRE
」を使って #ドルフィンズ を応援‼️
🔥ファイア🔥ボタンを押して、選手、チームへ応援の気持ちを届けよう✊▶️ https://t.co/yHFFvVDVUy#DORED #ドルフィンズ pic.twitter.com/jQPu9tnXXM
— 名古屋ダイヤモンドドルフィンズ公式 (@nagoyadolphins) April 24, 2022
Parks and the Diamond Dolphins scored their fourth straight win and booked a ticket to the playoffs with a 30-13 record, third in the Western Conference.
Article continues after this advertisementScott Eatherton showed the way for Nagoya with 25 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, while Takumi Saito chipped in 16 points, nine dimes, three boards and three steals.
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第2Q残り、4:46‼️‼️
\ドルフィンズ 36-26 三遠#バスケットLIVE 応援機能「ON FIRE
」を使って #ドルフィンズ を応援‼️
🔥ファイア🔥ボタンを押して、選手、チームへ応援の気持ちを届けよう✊▶️ https://t.co/yHFFvVDVUy#DORED #ドルフィンズ pic.twitter.com/XiaJIaVmxW
— 名古屋ダイヤモンドドルフィンズ公式 (@nagoyadolphins) April 24, 2022
Ravena returned to action after missing the NeoPhoenix’s last six outings and tallied eight points, four assists and three rebounds off the bench.
San-En dropped to 10-42 despite the 26-point effort of Elias Harris.
Meanwhile, Kiefer Ravena showed the way for Shiga to escape Hiroshima, 82-80, at YMIT Arena.
Licking the wounds of their 97-96 defeat on Saturday, the elder Ravena delivered 16 points, six assists, three steals and two rebounds as the Lakestars improved to 14-37.
Novar Gadson lifted Shiga with 26 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Reon Shibuta added 12.
Dwight Ramos was also triumphant as Toyama foiled Kyoto, 85-80, at Kyoto City Gymnasium.
Ramos had six points, three rebounds and three assists but it was enough for the Grouses to complete a weekend sweep of the Hannaryz and rise to a 22-32 record.
Brice Johnson poured 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Julian Mavunga had 24 points and nine assists for Toyama.
However, the other Filipino imports were not as fortunate as Parks, Ramos and Kiefer.
Javi Gomez de Liano unleashed his best game in Japan with 17 points but the Ibaraki Robots fell anew to Levanga Hokkaido, 84-77, at Hokkai Kitayell.
Gomez de Liano drilled four three-pointers and collected five rebounds and three assists. But the Robots suffered their second straight loss and slid to 14-34 despite the 34-point explosion of Atsunobu Hirao.
Kobe Paras had 10 points in Niigata Albirex BB’s 110-70 loss to Kawasaki Brave Thunders at Kawasaki Todoroki Arena.
Niigata lost its 12th straight outing and dropped to 5-41 card in danger of being relegated to Division 2.