Tag: hard

Kiefer Ravena says leaving Shiga for Yokohama ‘hard’

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B.League player Kiefer Ravena during an open training with the Jones Cup bound Strong Group Athletics team. -SGA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Kiefer Ravena is looking for a change of pace to better himself and he did just that with his most recent move in the Japan B.League.

After a rollercoaster string of seasons with the Shiga Lakes, Ravena signed with the Yokohama B-Corsairs a few days ago, giving him a new opportunity far from what he’s already familiar with.

“Just like any decisions that you make, you have to leave something very familiar. It was hard but at the same time, basketball isn’t forever and I have to make something that would make my future better,” said Ravena during Strong Group Athletics’ training at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong on Tuesday.

“That move was going to Yokohama.”

READ: B.League: Kiefer Ravena signs with Yokohama B-Corsairs

Ravena’s final run with the Lakes was been memorable, to say the least.

While posting averages of 10.51 points, 4.0 assists and 2.59 rebounds per game, the Ateneo product helped Shiga return to the B1 division after being relegated to B2 a year prior.

To add even icing on the cake, Ravena helped Shiga win the B2 division championship with a 24-36 card.

READ: B.League: Kiefer Ravena, Shiga Lakes claim B2 crown

In the title-clinching win over Koshigaya Alphas a few weeks back, Ravena dropped 10 points, three rebounds and eight assists in the 89-87 squeaker.

After the end of their stellar run, Ravena will be suiting up for the B-Corsairs, a team that formerly had another Filipino in Kai Sotto.

Before that, he will be playing in the Jones Cup in hopes of improving himself while also representing the country again after his stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 Fiba World Cup.

“I’m now preparing here [for Jones Cup], trying to get myself in shape and see where it takes me in order to prepare for next season.”



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“I’m very proud, still. Whatever you say, SGA or Gilas, we’re still representing the Philippines when we go to the Jones Cup. What you’ll see there is still the Philippine flag.”

Celtics knocked down hard, but with chance to clinch at home

On: By: admin


Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, top, and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, bottom, chase a loose ball during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball finals, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

DALLAS  — Jayson Tatum had his step-back 3-pointer swatted away, then ended up in a heap on the floor and was called for an offensive foul.

It was that kind of night for Tatum and the Boston Celtics, who got knocked down hard in Game 4 of the NBA Finals when they had a chance to complete a sweep of the Dallas Mavericks.

Instead of wrapping up an unprecedented 18th NBA title, the Celtics suffered their worst loss ever in the NBA Finals — and one of the worst in league history — when they fell 122-84 on Friday night.

The Celtics’ 10-game postseason winning streak, a franchise record, ended after they lost on the road for the first time in these playoffs. They had been 7-0, including a Game 3 win in Dallas.

READ: NBA Finals: Luka Doncic, Mavericks crush Celtics to avoid sweep

Now the Celtics will get a chance to clinch it at home. Game 5 is in Boston on Monday night.

Dallas already had a 26-point lead at halftime, and any thoughts of a rally by the Celtics were pretty much done less than two minutes into the second half when Tatum had his shot blocked by Daniel Gafford, with the Boston forward reaching out as he fell and getting whistled for the foul.

With the outcome already all but certain, coach Joe Mazzulla emptied his bench with 3:18 left in the third quarter. It was already a 36-point margin that grew to as much as 48.

Tatum, who had 15 points and five rebounds, was on the bench with Jaylen Brown and the rest of the starters for the remainder of the night. And 7-foot-2 center Kristaps Porzingis never even removed his warmups after being declared available before the game.

There have been only two more lopsided games this late in the season: Boston’s 131-92 win over the Lakers in Game 6 to wrap up the Celtics’ last championship in 2008; and Chicago’s record 42-point win over Utah in Game 3 in 1998.

Boston had its lowest-scoring half all season — regular season and playoffs combined — when trailing 61-35 at halftime.



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