By MARK REY MONTEJO
Matthew Wright and eight other Filipino imports are set to banner the Asian squad in the upcoming 2024 Japan B. League All-Star weekend on Jan. 13 and 14 at the Okinawa Arena.
The squad will be a collection of Gilas Pilipinas stars and collegiate standouts from the country who are making waves in the Japanese league.
Joining Wright, who plays for Kyoto Hannaryz are fellow national team players Dwight Ramos of Levanga Hokkaido, Kiefer (Shiga Lakes) and Thirdy Ravena (San-En NeoPhoenix), RJ Abarrientos (Shinshu Brave Warriors), and forward Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (Nagoya Diamond Dolphins) and Roosevelt Adams (Yamagata Wyverns)
Also in the crew are Filipino big men in Yokohama B-Corsairs’s Kai Sotto, Ryzing Zephyr Fukuoka’s Greg Slaughter and Ryukyu Golden Kings’ Carl Tamayo.
Wright recently reached the 1000-point record in just 80 games — the fastest among the Filipinos in the league joining Ravena brothers, Ramos and Parks Jr.
The Philippine cagers will be suiting up with other Asian standouts including Shengzhe Li (Fukushima Firebonds), Chuanxing Liu (Altiri Chiba), Min Kug Chang (Nagasaki Velca), Chung-Ting Liu (Aomori Wats), Daeusung Lee (Sehorses Mikawa), Jae-Min Yang (Sendai 89ers), and Weijia Wang (Akita Northern Happinets).
They will face the Rising Stars team, which is bannered by Allen Hachimura, brother of Los Angeles Lakers’ Rui.
The two-day showpiece will offer a clash between B.Black and B.White, Slam-Dunk Competition, Skills Challenge and 3-point Contest.
