Thirdy Ravena’s return steers San-en to first back-to-back wins in Japan

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Thirdy Ravena’s return after contracting COVID-19 sparked San-en NeoPhoenix to back-to-back wins to snap their eight-game losing streak in the Japan B. League.

The NeoPhoenix squad broke the Hokkaido Levanga’s hearts twice after crushing them in Game 1, 83-69, and managed to create stops in the fourth quarter of their second game to notch another win, 80-74.

Aside from Ravena’s return, NeoPhoenix head coach Branislav Vicentic expressed how happy he was seeing all of his imports play.

“We feel good. First of all, it was a very important game for us. Finally, we have all our imports together. We’re finally going to practice together, we’re playing good, and we stopped our losing streak,” said coach Vicentic.

Ravena, who returned to action after recovering from COVID-19, was able to contribute five points, three rebounds, and two assists in limited minutes of the first game.

Ravena’s co-imports Stevan Jelovac and Kyle Hunt were unstoppable for the NeoPhoenix after recording double-digit scoring games in the two games.