Japan B. League cancels Filipino Rising All-star event due to COVID-19

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Japan B. League committee through its president Shinji Shimada confirmed that there will be no league All-Star festivities this January.

Originally slated to take place from January 14 to 15, another surge of COVID-19 cases forced the league to cancel the planned events.

The highly-anticipated game between the All-Filipino Asian import team against the league’s rising stars will also be canceled with the team led by Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. going up against Japan’s finest youngsters.

Aside from the Filipino big three, the team will also be backed by Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño, Kobe Paras, and Kemark Carino.

This is already Japan B. League’s second-straight year where their All-star game has been canceled due to rising cases of COVID-19.

“We have been preparing for the event with the help of many people, including Okinawa Prefecture and Okinawa City. We would like to express our gratitude to Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture Basketball Association, partner companies, media, and all concerned for their cooperation. And I think that many fans are disappointed that it has been canceled for the second consecutive year. I am very sorry,” Shimada said.

However, Shimada confirmed that they aren’t closing their doors in moving the prestigious B. League event to a date when the COVID-19 cases ease.

As of now, the B. League reportedly had 12 players who either tested positive for the virus or were labeled as close contacts.