San-En NeoPhoenix Filipino import Thirdy Ravena. –B.LEAGUE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Thirdy Ravena’s ferocious slam dunk highlighted his 25-point explosion as the surging San-en Neophoenix dominated Ray Parks Jr. and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, 92-79, in the 2023-24 Japan B.League season on Saturday.
Ravena dropped 25 points on 11-of-14 shooting to go with four assists, two steals, and a rebound to lead San-En to its fifth straight win and stay on top of the standings with a 23-4 record tied with Alvark Tokyo.
The former Ateneo star went viral after he dunked on Seiga Sakamoto with 3:31 remaining in the second quarter.
「これは凄い…😱」
実況も言葉を失うスーパーダンク！！！@ThirdyRavenaaa @NEO_PHOENIX#Bリーグ pic.twitter.com/JwD2kNgU6P— B.LEAGUE（Bリーグ） (@B_LEAGUE) January 6, 2024
Parks’ turnover led to Ravena’s breakaway one-handed slam, which posterized Sakamoto for a 41-37 lead.
Parks only scored six points in 18 minutes of playing time as Nagoya slid to a 16-11 record.
Kai Sotto’s Yokohama wins
Yokohama B-Corsairs’ Kai Sotto. -BLEAUGE PHOTO
Meanwhile, Kai Sotto made the most of his 12-minute playing time, delivering nine points, five rebounds, and two blocks in Yokohama B-Corsairs’ 100-95 win over the Toyama Grouses.
The 7-foot-3 center, who returned from a back injury and was loaned from Hiroshima, helped his team win twice in his third game as they improved to a 12-15 record.
Sotto missed the chance of facing Gilas teammate AJ Edu, who didn’t play anew. Toyama dropped to a 3-24 record.
RJ Abarrientos dropped 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists to bring back the winning ways of the Shinshu Brave Warriors (5-22) after beating Nagasaki Velca, 79-73.
However, three Filipino imports had tough losses.
Matthew Wright poured in 17 points on 5-of-6 three-point shooting and dished out seven assists only for the Kyoto Hannaryz (8-19) to absorb a 99-83 rout to the Chiba Jets.
Dwight Ramos had eight points, two rebounds, and two assists but Levanga Hokkaido also slid to an 8-19 record after falling to the Sunrockers Shibuya in overtime, 74-73
Carl Tamayo was scoreless and only got an offensive rebound in two minutes of action as the defending champions Ryukyu Golden Kings (19-9) yielded to the Fighting Eagles Nagoya, 68-57.