Ryukyu spoils Thirdy Ravena's return, pips San-En

Former NBA veteran Jack Cooley set the tone for the Golden Kings' 39-point rout of the NeoPhoenix.

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Ryukyu handed Thirdy Ravena a rude welcome back to the B.League by walloping San-En, 110-71, on Wednesday night at the Okinawa City Gymnasium.

The Golden Kings set the tone early on, opening a 25-13 lead against the NeoPhoenix at the end of the first quarter.

San-En's offense began to pick up in the second quarter, but Ryukyu stayed consistent in the said period and entered halftime with a 15-point cushion, 48-33.

The NeoPhoenix tried to mount a comeback early into the third quarter, going on a 9-2 run to cut the lead to eight, 50-42, with 7:44 to go in the period.

But the Golden Kings responded with a 12-2 run to pull away for good, even stretching further their lead to 40 points at one juncture in the fourth quarter.

Jack Cooley led Ryukyu, which moved up to 36-10, with 16 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Keita Imamura and Seiya Funyu each added 15 points off the bench as the most of the second stringers finished the job.

Kyle Hunt put up 17 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals for San-En, which fell to 11-38.

In his first game after recovering from a broken finger, Ravena struggled, only making 11 points on 5-of-14 shootings, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

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