Kobe Paras' Niigata snaps long losing skid at Ibaraki's expense; Thirdy Ravena erupts for 26 in San-en loss

Kobe Paras and his Niigata Albirex BB have finally put an end to their 26-game losing streak, escaping Javi Gomez de Liaño and the Ibaraki Robots, 79-76, in the Japan B.League on Saturday.

Paras, whose team hadn't won since October 9, finished with 10 points, two rebounds, one steal, and one block as Niigata improved to 3-27, but they still remained last in the team standings.

Aside from the 24-year-old Paras, Rosco Allen detonated for 26 points, five boards, and two assists while Jeff Ayres, Yuto Nohmi, and Tshilidzi Nephawe each dropped 11 markers.

Ibaraki dropped to 6-24 as Gomez de Liaño was once again sidelined.

Meanwhile, Thirdy Ravena erupted on offense but it was not enough to carry the San-en NeoPhoenix past the Kyoto Hannaryz after they absorbed a close 88-83 loss at the Kyoto City Gymnasium.

Ravena dropped 26 points to go along with eight rebounds and one assist but they were still dealt with their fourth loss in a row for a 4-23 card. The loss served as San-en's return since January 3 after some of their games were put on hold due to COVID-19 protocols.

Dwight Ramos and the Toyama Grouses and Matt Aquino's Shinshu Brave Warriors were also successful in dispatching their separate foes on Saturday as the Grouses came away with an 85-68 victory against the Hiroshima Dragonflies.

Ramos, whose team was also placed on protocols the past days, finished with seven points and three rebounds as they improved to 12-19.

Shinshu, meanwhile, bounced back from their previous loss to Ryukyu after an 89-79 victory over Osaka Evessa. Aquino did not see action but Josh Hawkinson led the team with 27 points and nine rebounds.

It was a tough night, however, for another Filipino import as Ray Parks and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins and Matt Aquino suffered defeat to end their three-game winning streak.

Parks exploded for 20 points and six rebounds but Nagoya stumbled against the Utsunomiya Brex, 93-73, to go 21-9. Despite the latest heartbreak, Nagoya is still at the upper half of the team standings.

—JMB, GMA News