by Dave Albarado
Parks finally plays his first pre-season game in Japanese B League
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. finally plays his first pre-season game in the Japanese B League.
His team Nagoya Diamond Dolphins faced off with Gunma Crane Thunders last week. He came off the bench and contributed immensely to the winning effort of the team from Nagoya. Nagoya won over Gunma 108-88. He performed quite well considering that he last played in the PBA last season.
Parks showed Nagoya what he is capable of.
In his first game since the first game of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Parks worked on both ends of the court, helping Nagoya take a dominant 108-88 win over newly-promoted Gunma in the 2021 B.League preseason held at Dolphin’s Arena in Nagoya.
Parks, who missed the rest of the Philippine Cup Finals 2020 due to a left calf strain, went a perfect 6-of-6 from the field for 12 points to go along with an assist and a rebound in just 17 minutes of action.
Moreover, he played lockdown defense on Crane Thunders import Trey McKinney-Jones.
This is the only pre season game scheduled for the Diamond Dolphins.
Meanwhile, over at Gamagori Citizens Gymnastics Center, Thirdy Ravena played just limited minutes for San-En Neo Phoenix as it bowed to Division 2 team Flying Eagles Nagoya in overtime, 83-86.
San-En Neo Phoenix led by as much as 9 points, 72-63, with 3:15 left before the Flying Eagles went on a 14-5 run to send the game into overtime.
Ravena, who did not play the entire fourth quarter, scored a basket in overtime that cut the Flying Eagles’ lead down to three, 81-84 with 1:02 left.
However, it was not enough to stop the momentum of Nagoya’s 2nd division team.
The 2nd year NeoPhoenix player had 4 points in limited minutes.
Ravena only joined the team last week after clearing a two-week quarantine.
The game between San-En and Nagoya’s 2nd division team was held under closed doors.
San-En Neo Phoenix will face fellow 1st division team Levanga Hokkaido in a back-to-back series on September 24 and 25, 2021, before it begins its 2021-2022 season.
Moreover, Kiefer Ravena was also on the stands when Shiga Lakestars defeated Division 2 team Bambitious Nara, 101-75, at Roth Arena.
Kiefer is still waiting for some documents before he can allowed to play.
The B.League does not collate stats for its preseason gam
Meanwhile, Dwight Ramos is also trooping to Japan to play for Touyama Grouses. He would no longer be able to play for Ateneo in the UAAP as he is turning professional.
However, there is a huge cloud of uncertainty hovering over the Gilas camp because he might no longer be available during the November window for the Fiba World Cup qualifiers. Even if the Philippines is already qualified in the 2023 World Cup, Gilas will still participate in the qualifiers.