Levanga Hokkaido’s Dwight Ramos. Photo from Dwight Ramos’ Instagram
MANILA, Philippines — Dwight Ramos became the second Filipino import in the Japan B.League to score 1,000 points, joining San-En star Thirdy Ravena after leading Levanga Hokkaido past his former team Toyama Grouses in two games this weekend at Hokkai Kita-yale.
Ramos delivered seven points, one rebound, one assist, and a block as Hokkaido completed a weekend sweep of Toyama, 88-81, before the New Year.
Shuto Terazono exploded for 27 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting as Levanga improved to 8-18.
Ramos reached the 1000th mark in his 103rd game on Saturday after tallying 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block in Hokkaido’s 87-65 win over his first B.League team Toyama.
In Kai Sotto’s weekend debut with his new team, the Yokohama B-Corsairs couldn’t complete a sweep of Seahorses Mikawa at home as they absorbed an 89-72 loss.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto only played over 12 minutes and tallied six points on 3-of-5 shooting on top of two rebounds in his second B.League game this season, returning from a back injury.
Sotto, who was loaned from Hiroshima, made his season debut for Yokohama on Saturday with four points, four rebounds, and three blocks in 12 minutes of action as they beat Mikawa, 73-72, only to lose their second game this weekend and drop to an 11-15 record.
Davante Gardner erupted for 38 points from nine triples and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Mikawa to a 17-9 record.
Ravena’s San-En, Tamayo’s Ryukyu win
San-en Neophoenix’s Thirdy Ravena. -B.LEAGUE PHOTO
Meanwhile, Ravena and the San-En NeoPhoenix rose to the No.2 spot with a 22-4 record after earning two wins in a row over the Chiba Jets, 96-94.
Ravena had 11 points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals to keep San-En on top of the central division, while Coty Clarke showed the way with 32 points.
The Ateneo star was also instrumental in their 90-81 win over Chiba on Saturday, tallying nine points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block.
Carl Tamayo scored nine points in 11 minutes of playing time as the defending champions Ryukyu Golden Kings routed the Sendai 89ers, 84-69, to rise to a 19-6 record.
The other Filipinos had a tough weekend as Matthew Wright tallied seven points and three rebounds after Kyoto Hannaryz (8-18) fell to the Ibaraki Robots, 109-101, on Saturday.
Ray Parks Jr. had five points and four rebounds as the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins slid to a 16-10 card after absorbing a 77-55 rout to the Kawasaki Brave Thunders.
RJ Abarrientos was a non-factor with one assist in roughly five minutes of playing time as the Shinshu Brave Warriors (4-22) were dominated by Utsunomiya Brex, 77-55.