Kai Sotto’s double-double helps Koshigaya back on track

Koshiyaga Alphas Filipino center Kai Sotto in a Japan B.League game against Kawasaki.

Koshiyaga Alphas Filipino center Kai Sotto in a Japan B.League game against Kawasaki. –B.LEAGUE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Kai Sotto put up 16 points and 14 rebounds on top of three blocks as the Koshigaya Alphas snapped a six-game losing streak with an 89-62 rout of the Shiga Lakes in the 2024-25 B.League season on Sunday at Shiga Daihatsu Arena.

The 7-foot-3 center, who has been impressive with his new Japanese club, brought back the winning ways of the Alphas, who last won a game on December 8, 100-74 over Kawasaki.

READ: Kai Sotto drops monster double-double in Koshigaya’s latest win

LJ Peak led Koshigaya’s balanced attack with 20 points, while Shun Matsuyama added 15 points.

Sotto and the Alphas improved to a 7-18 record. 

Matthew Wright ended year2024 with a bang as he sustained his fine form to give the Kawasaki Brave Thunders a second consecutive win over the Ibaraki Robots, 89-78, at Kawasaki Todoroki Arena.

A day after ending a 10-game skid, Wright waxed hot hitting seven of his 11 three-point attempts to finish with 23 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

READ: Japan B.League: Kai Sotto continues stellar play for struggling Koshigaya

Wright helped Kawasaki improve to a 6-20 card with Rosco Allen putting up 25 points and seven rebounds, and Alize Johnson flirting with a triple-double with 17 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists.

Ray Parks Jr. and the Osaka Evessa bounced back with an 84-80 win over the Akita Northern Happinets

After losing on Saturday, 85-73, Parks had seven points and three rebounds to improve Osaka’s record to 14-12.

Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos also scored seven points but Levanga Hokkaido suffered another defeat to Seahorses Mikawa, 75-74.

Levanga dropped to a 9-17 card after Yoshiaki Kuboto scored the go-ahead layup for Mikawa with 11 seconds left.

Kiefer Ravena and the Yokohama B-Corsairs (9-17) fell to top seed San-En NeoPhoenix, 87-72,  in a game where he tallied seven points and four assists.

AJ Edu had six points nad seven rebounds but Nagasaki Velca couldn’t complete a weekend sweep of the Sendai 89ers, absorbing a 76-70 loss and sliding to a 13-13 card.

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