Park’s Nagoya, Wright’s Kyoto score weekend sweeps in B.League

Ray Parks Jr. and his Nagoya Diamond Dolphins extended their winning streak to four while Matthew Wright and Kyoto Hannaryz scored back-to-back wins at the expense of RJ Abarrientos and his Shinshu Brave Warriors in the Japan B.League action over the weekend.

The Diamond Dolphins completed a sweep of Osaka Evessa, first an 84-64 romp on Saturday, Nov. 11, before following it up with an 86-68 win the following day.

Parks played significantly in both wins — seven points, three rebounds, and a steal in 19 minutes in the first game before a much-improved showing of 17 points, two rebounds, and two assists in the second game.

Wright’s Kyoto, meanwhile, arrested a six-game losing streak on Saturday and made its own winning run on Sunday after asserting its mastery over Shinshu.

The Fil-Canadian gunner contributed eight points, three assists, and a rebound in Kyoto’s 74-62 win before adding five points and two assists in 17 minutes in the 94-85 repeat.

Abarrientos made his presence felt in the first loss with 13 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal but was completely a non-factor in the second game after going scoreless in limited minutes.

The Ryukyu Golden Kings also swept Shimane Susanoo although Filipino import Carl Tamayo was hardly utilized in the wins. He went scoreless in the 80-77 win in the first meeting before winding up with just three points and two rebounds in the 91-84 triumph to close out the week.

Ramos had 13 points, six boards, and four assists in the 83-68 loss to the Kai Sotto-less Hiroshima Dragonflies before sitting out the next game against the same team, resulting to another 83-76 defeat

Victory remained elusive for AJ Edu in B.League after his Toyama Grouses fell twice to Utsunomiya Brex. An 18-point, 12-rebound double-double performance from Edu went for naught in the first 85-60 loss before being limited to just two points and two rebounds in an 80-51 setback.

Thirdy Ravena, on the other hand, didn’t see action this weekend for the San-En NeoPhoenix due to concussion protocols. His absence was hardly felt though as San-En cruised to an 87-64 win on Saturday and then a 96-62 triumph on Sunday, both against the Ibaraki Robots.