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Kai Sotto made his Japanese B.League debut with Hiroshima. -PHOTO B.LIGA
MANILA, Philippines – Carl Tamayo was benched in his first B.League game but the Ryukyu Golden Kings spoiled Kai Sotto’s debut for the Hiroshima Dragonflies with an 86-78 victory on Wednesday at the Okinawa Arena.
Tamayo and Sotto’s first match in Japan will have to wait as the Golden Kings’ newest Filipino import did not play in the East Asian Super League Champions Week.
“I just came here to know coach Dai (Oketani). I’ll just keep working hard and I’ll be ready if coach Dai needs me. I’m just happy that we won the game,” said Tamayo after the game in a media availability with the Philippine media.
The 7-foot-3 Sotto made his debut with 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting and had three blocks, two rebounds and a steal in 19 minutes of play in the loss.
“I believe my team played well. We had some turnovers that we were able to fix. I think it was a good game for both teams. They just played better and shot better. I was surprised to see how they made difficult shots,” said Sotto. “I had fun in my first game. The positive thing is that we will only get better. The next game will be more fun to watch because we will improve our level.
The Golden Kings won their seventh straight to improve their record to 30-9.
Ryuichi Kishimoto led Ryukyu with 20 points, while Former PBA import Allen Durham had 19 points, four rebounds, five assists, and a steal.
The Dragonflies dropped to 28-11 in Sotto’s debut.
FILE–Kyoto Hannaryz Player Matthew Wright. -PHOTO B.LIGA
Meanwhile, Matthew Wright defeated Ray Parks Jr. when Kyoto Hannaryz defeated Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, 74-71.
Wright posted 15 points, nine assists, and five rebounds as Kyoto improved to 16-23, after the Fiba break.
Parks was limited to six points, five rebounds, and two assists as Nagoya rolled to a 27-12 record.
Thirdy Ravena had 10 points, three rebounds and one assist to help San-En NeoPhoenix end its three-game skid after dominating the Mikawa Seahorses, 87-74.
NeoPhoenix improved to 17-22.
Dwight Ramos had just four points in 14 minutes, but Levanga Hokkaido (10-29) won its second straight against Ibaraki Robots, 88-83.
However, Kiefer Ravena had eight points, three rebounds, and two assists as Shiga Lakes (5-34) continued to fall after losing to Shimane Susanoo, 98-89.
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