B.League: Kai Sotto dominates in Hiroshima win over Kiefer Ravena, Shiga
FILE–Hiroshima Dragonflies’ Kai Sotto. Photo from B.League
MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto imposed his will for the Hiroshima Dragonflies to beat Kiefer Ravena and the Shiga Lakes, 99-88, in the 2022-23 B.League season on Wednesday at Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall.
The 7-foot-3 center dominated with 14 points and 12 rebounds on top of one block, one assist, and a steal to end the two-game skid of Hiroshima, which improved to a 39-15 card.
Sotto got the better of his Gilas teammate Ravena, who had nine points, eight assists, and three rebounds.
Nick Mayo led the Dragonflies with 20 points, while Dwayne Evans II posted 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Shiga suffered its third straight loss and fell to a 13-41 record, despite DeQuan Jones’ 24-point effort.
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Over at Toyoma City Gymnasium, Thirdy Ravena provided the spark off the bench with 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists as the San-En NeoPhoenix took down the Toyama Grouses with a 105-94 win.
Isaiah Hicks exploded for 42 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead San-En to back-to-back wins and rise to a 21-33 record.
Matthew Wright only had five points and five assists in 30 minutes of play but the Kyoto Hannaryz stunned the Osaka Evessa, 92-88, at Edion Arena Osaka.
Jarrod Uthoff and Cheick Diallo led the win with 19 and 17 points, respectively, as Kyoto improved to a 21-34 slate.
Carl Tamayo did not see action for the Ryukyu Golden Kings (44-11), who trounced the Fighting Eagles Nagoya (21-34), 76-69.
Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos hardly made his presence felt in 22 minutes with four points, four rebounds, and four assists as Levanga Hokkaido (16-38) yielded to the Utsunomiya Brex (27-27) with a 62-53 defeat.
Ray Parks Jr. has yet to return to Nagoya Diamond Dolphins’ active roster in their 93-83 loss to the Shimane Susanoo Magic, sliding to a 38-16 slate.
