Kiefer, Lakestars go for top spot

MANILA, Philippines — Kiefer Ravena’s Shiga Lakestars shoot for the solo lead while debuting Dwight Ramos and his Toyama team aim for a breakthrough win against Ray Parks Jr. and his Nagoya teammates in the Japan B. League games with Filipino flavor.

Already considered as among the league’s top playmakers, Kiefer leads the Lakestars (3-1) in their 5:05 p.m. duel with Kyoto (2-2) at the Hannaryz Arena. The Lakestars aim to break free from an eight-way logjam atop the 20-team B. League Division I field.

Kiefer, the third-best assist man so far with 6.8 a game, and Shiga will be riding the momentum of two straight wins last week.

Meanwhile, Matthew Aquino, son of PBA legend Marlou, has signed up with the Shinshu Brave Warriors to become the ninth Filipino cager currently playing in Japan.

Ramos finally makes his B. League debut after completing his quarantine in time for a showdown with Parks and his Nagoya team also at 5:05 p.m. over at the Toyama City Gymnasium.

The Ramos-Parks duel serves as a follow-up to the interesting collision of the Ravena brothers in the weekend opener and the explosive encounter of Thirdy and Kobe last week.

This time, Thirdy and Kobe, with San-en (2-2) and Niigata (2-2), play on the road against Hiroshima (3-1) and Hokkaido (0-4), respectively.

San-en battles Hiroshima at 12:05 p.m. at the Hiroshima Sun Plaza followed by Niigata’s match against the winless Hokkaido at 1:05 p.m. at the Hokkai Kitayell Sports Center.

In the Division II, Juan Gomez De Liaño and Earthfriends Tokyo Z (0-4) resume hunt for a maiden win against Sendai (2-2) tomorrow while Kemark Cariño (Aomori) is nearing completion of his own quarantine.