San-En mounts winning run after road sweep of Hokkaido

Thirdy Ravena was held scoreless, but San-En still walked away with the win. Nikki Collantes (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--San-En just began mounting a run to stave off relegation after sweeping Hokkaido on the road through an 80-74 comeback win in their B.League rematch on Sunday at the latter's home, the Hokkai Kitayeru Arena.

Unlike their first match on Saturday where San-En led from wire to wire, the Thirdy Ravena-bolstered squad needed a late push, going on a game turning 13-0 run midway through the fourth period to turn a 54-58 deficit to a 67-58 lead with 4:34 left even as it kept Hokkaido at bay later on.

Hokkaido still tried to mount a late comeback as Jordan Taylor scored back-to-back triples to cut San-En's lead down to three, 72-69, with 1:34 to play, but he cooled off in the end even as Hayato Kawashima and Stevan Jelovac finally out the game away with back-to-back deuces on the other end.

Jelovac made up for an awkward field goal shooting with a perfect 12-of-12 clip from the free throw line for 22 points alongside 10 rebounds, three assists, and one steal for San-En, which has now won back-to-back games and tied its victim at 4-17.

Kyle Hunt added 20 points on 9-of-15 field goals, 15 rebounds, two assists, and four blocks.

Still looking to get his groove back after recovering from COVID-19, Ravena was held scoreless in four minutes of play.

Taylor finished with 21 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and two steals for Hokkaido.

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