MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto put on the finishing touches for Yokohama B-as the Corsairs escaped Thirdy Ravena and the San-En NeoPhoenix, 81-76, in the 2023-24 B.League season on Wednesday at Yokohama International Pool.
The 7-foot-3 Filipino center unleashed eight points in the fourth including his clutch hookshot that gave Yokohama a 78-76 lead with a minute remaining before Yuki Kawamura nailed a dagger trey to extend it to a five-point lead with 34 seconds left.
Sotto tallied his fifth double-double in his last six games with 23 points — on 11-of-14 shooting — and 10 rebounds to improve the B-Corsairs record to 19-23.
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Ravena was limited to 10 points and five rebounds as San-En absorbed its fourth straight loss with a 34-8 record, dropping to the second seed.
Utsunomiya Brex claimed the top seed with a 35-7 record after dominating Dwight Ramosand Levanga Hokkaido, 101-79.
Ramos hardly made his presence felt with one point and four rebounds in 16 minutes of action as Levanga dropped to a 12-30 card.
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Meanwhile, RJ Abarrientos had 11 points and five assists but the Shinshu Brave Warriors (6-36) fell short to the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, 92-88.
Ray Parks Jr. scored nine points in Nagoya Diamond Dolphins’ 94-82 loss to Nagasaki Velca, who banked on Matt Bonds’ 27 points and 10 rebounds.
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Parks and the Diamond Dolphins remained second in the west despite dropping to a 28-14 record.
Matthew Wright also finished with nine points but Kyoto Hannaryz (13-29) yielded to the Ryukyu Golden Kings, 106-80.