Thirdy Ravena returns from a two-game suspension this weekend as the San-En Neophoenix face a huge test against the defending champion Chiba Jets in Japan’s B.League.
The struggling Neophoenix host the Jets at the Toyohashi City Gymnasium at 4:05 p.m. local time Saturday and 2:05 p.m. Sunday, with Ravena back after being banned for smashing a signboard after a loss to the Toyama Grouses last month.
San-En has lost eight in a row and will head to the contest with a 3-13 against a Chiba side holding top spot in the East at 12-4.
Older brother Kiefer and Dwight Ramos face off for the first time as the Shiga Lakestars play at home against the Grouses.
Shiga meets Toyama at 4:05 p.m. Saturday before the two sides meet anew the following day at 2:35 p.m.
Kiefer and the Lakestars hold a 6-10 record, but have dropped eight straight games while the Grouses fell to 4-12 after being swept by the league-leading Ryukyu Golden Kings.
Other two-game sets include Ray Parks Jr. and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins’ bid to improve on their 9-7 record against the Kyoto Hannaryz and Kobe Paras’ attempt to help snap Niigata Albirex’s 13-game skid opposite the Shibuya Sun Rockers.
Matthew Aquino hopes to get more playing for the Shinshu Brave Warriors against the Gunma Crane Thunders, so is Javi Gomez de Liano for the Ibaraki Robots’ two games with the Shimane Susanoo Magic.
In the second division, Juan Gomez de Liano and Earthfriends Tokyo Z meet the Kumamoto Volters while Kemark Carino and the Aomori Wat’s take on Fukushima Firebonds.