MANILA – Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and Nagoya Diamond Dolphins survived a late rally by Hiroshima Dragonflies for an 82-76 win in the 2021-2022 Japan B.League on Wednesday night at the Park Arena.
Trailing 64-58 entering the fourth quarter, the Diamond Dolphins leaned on the exploits of reinforcement Cody Clarke and on its tight defense on the Butterflies to trim the deficit to 68-67.
Nagoya went on with its rampage as it built a 77-69 advantage on a dunk by Scott Eatherton with 1:44 in the game. The Dragonflies made its last push but could only come to as close as six points.
Eatherton led the way with 18 points and six rebounds for the Diamond Dolphins, while Clarke chipped in 14 points, seven coming in the fourth quarter, to go with 10 rebounds and two assists.
Parks, meanwhile, came off the bench and contributed seven points, three boards, and two assists in 17 minutes of action as the Diamond Dolphins netted its second straight win for a 7-5 record.
Thomas Kennedy tallied 14 points and three rebounds, while Greg Echenique, Nick Mayo, and Chris Jackson all scored 12 each as the Dragonflies suffered its fourth straight defeat for a 7-5 slate.
Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos and Toyama Grousers returned to their winning ways following a 94-80 domination over host Kyoto at the Kyoto City Gymnasium. Both teams now have a 2-10 win-loss record.
The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay was limited to just 17 minutes in the lopsided Grousers victory as he finished with seven points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field with two rebounds.
