Tough Saturday outing for Pinoy imports in B.League as their Japanese clubs absorb losses

Victory proved to be elusive for the teams of Filipino imports seeing action in the Japan B.League after several of their clubs endured tough losses on Saturday.

Kobe Paras, one of just two Filipino reinforcements who suited up today, and his Niigata Albirex BB fell to Akita Northern Happinets, 92-76, to drop a second consecutive loss for a 5-20 win-loss card.

Paras posted 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a block in the loss while Jeff Ayres finished with 16 markers and 13 boards but those went for naught as they still dropped the match.

Kiefer Ravena's Shiga Lakestars was also unable to pick up the win over their opponents, the Ryukyu Golden Kings. Kiefer registered 17 points, nine assists, and three rebounds in Shiga's 98-84 loss as they dropped to 10-20.

Thirdy Ravena and Dwight Ramos, who both reinforced the Gilas Pilipinas national team in the February window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, missed their clubs' latest games.

Thirdy wasn't part of the lineup as the San-en NeoPhoenix endured an 87-62 defeat to Alvark Tokyo to fall to 5-29. Ramos' Toyama Grouses, meanwhile, failed to make it back-to-back wins following a 91-78 loss to Sunrockers Shibuya for a 15-21 card.

Javi Gomez de Liaño didn't log in any minutes as his Ibaraki Robots stumbled against Kyoto Hannaryz, 86-81, for back-to-back defeats and a 7-27 card in the team standings.

Matthew Aquino, a Filipino of Japanese heritage who is playing in the B.League as a local, was also unable to see action while his Shinshu Brave Warriors were dealt a 24-point defeat by Kawasaki Brave Thunders, 99-75.

Ray Parks and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins (21-9) were originally scheduled to face off with defending champions Chiba Jets at 2 p.m. but their game was postponed to a later date.

—JMB, GMA News