MANILA – Ilonggo Kiefer Ravena and the Shiga Lakestar scored back-to-back wins in the 2021-22 B.League via an 85-77 triumph over Ibaraki Robots on Sunday at the Ukaruchan Arena.
The former NLEX Road Warriors star tallied 11 points, including two crucial baskets in the endgame, to go with seven assists, two rebounds, and two steals.
The Lakestar swept their weekend series with Robots for a 3-1 win-loss slate.
Tomomasa Ozawa led the way with 17 points, Novar Gadson came off the bench with 16 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals, while Sean O’Mara got 15 points, seven boards, three dimes, and three steals for the Lakestar.
Holding to a slim 76-75 with under two minutes left, Ozawa strung up five straight points, including a three-pointer from a Ravena pass, as the Lakestar widened the lead to 81-75.
The Robots were unable to respond from Ozawa’s flurry as the Lakestar wrapped up the victory with two free throws each from Gadson and O’Mara with under a minute remaining.
Eric Jacobsen finished with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, while Atsunobu Hirao got 17 points and six assists as the Robots suffered its fourth defeat in as many games.
Former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons gunner Javi Gomez de Liano was absent anew for the Robots as he is still completing his quarantine requirement in Japan.
The Lakestars hit the road for the first time next weekend when they meet the Kyoto Hannaryz (2-2) at Hannaryz Arena, while Ibaraki plays its first home game against Utsunomiya Brex (1-3) at Adastria Mito Arena.
In other results, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. was limited to one point, one rebound and one assists but his team Nagoya Diamond Dolphins earn their first win of the season against the Hiroshima Dragonflies, 87-77.
Juan Gomez de Liano, on the other hand, recorded his Japan B.League high 11 points but Earthfriends Tokyo Z suffered a lopsided 84-55 defeat at the hands of Yamagata Wyverns./PN
