Osaka defeats Nagoya despite Bobby Ray Parks’ subpar game

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. made only three of his 10 field goal attempts to finish with seven markers to go with four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. PHOTO COURTESY OF OSAKA EVESSA

MANILA – Bobby Ray Parks Jr.’s subpar performance hardly mattered as Osaka Evessa defeated Fighting Eagles Nagoya, 70-56, in the Japan B.League Division 1 at the Ookini Arena Maishima in Osaka, Japan.

The former National University Bulldogs star made only three of his 10 field goal attempts to finish with seven markers to go with four rebounds, two assists, and a steal as the Evessa stayed perfect after four matches.

Matt Bonds led the way for Osaka with 20 points and eight rebounds, Ryan Luther added 12 points off the bench, while Volodymyr Gerun and Hayato Maki chipped 11 and 10 points, respectively.

“I am glad that we were able to beat a tough opponent,” Osaka head coach Hiroki Fujita said in a post-game presser. “Our offense was a little shaky, but we kept working hard, and we did our best on defense and rebounding to win.”

AJ Edu, meanwhile, had a near double-double performance as the Nagasaki Velca tallied a 79-70 victory over the Levanga Hokkaido at the Yotsuba Arena Tokachi in Hokkaido.

The Gilas Pilipinas center finished with 18 points and nine rebounds to go with three assists, two blocks, and a steal as they improved to a 3-1 mark. The Hokkaido dropped to 0-4.

Kai Sotto finished with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds but the Koshigaya Alphas remained winless in four matches as they bowed to the Ryukyu Golden Kings, 87-59.

Kiefer Ravena was held to seven points and two assists as the Yokohama B-Corsairs bowed to the Alvark Tokyo, 79-68, while Matthew Wright scored 10 points as the Kawasaki Brave Thunders lost to the Nagoya Diamond Dolphis, 94-87.

In Division 2 action, Roosevelt Adams finished with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals as the Yamagata Wyverns prevailed over the Fukushima Firebonds, 86-70.

Kihei Clark contributed nine points, four assists, and three steals as the Kumamoto Volters bowed to the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka, 88-60, while Geo Chiu had two points and four rebounds as the Ehime Orange Vikings lost to the Shinshu Brave Warriors, 98-64.