Levanga Hokkaido pulled off one of the most significant upsets of the B.LEAGUE season on Sunday, defeating the higher-ranked Chiba Jets, 70-64, at the LaLa Arena Tokyo-Bay in Funabashi. This dramatic win marked the end of Hokkaido's frustrating five-game losing streak and showcased the promise of young talent Dwight Ramos.
Coming off the bench, Ramos shone with sparkling efficiency, finishing the night with 17 points, three rebounds, and one assist. What made his performance particularly impressive was the timing; he was instrumental during the fourth quarter, when the Jets were aggressively trying to close the gap. His steady scoring helped Levanga maintain their lead after initially racing out to a significant advantage.
Levanga kicked off the game on fire and built an impressive 30-14 lead by the end of the first quarter. Ramos joined the game midway through this period and quickly found his rhythm, contributing much-needed energy and prowess on offense. Despite losing the scoring battle over the next three quarters—where Chiba rallied back to make the game competitive—Hokkaido's defense held firm when it mattered most.
Even as Levanga struggled to put the ball through the hoop late, especially with Ramos missing two key free throw attempts, their ability to crash the boards made all the difference. Thomas Welsh, who had 15 points and pulled down 22 rebounds, was pivotal during the decisive moments of the game. His final shot sealed the victory, ensuring the team wouldn't falter under pressure.
For the Chiba Jets, the loss stings, as they have now dropped three of their last four games, moving their record to 18-10. Christopher Smith led the Jets with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but the team struggled to regain the momentum they had hoped to capitalize on when they started the season strong. Yuki Togashi added 17 points to the mix, but their combined efforts weren't enough against Hokkaido, who executed well defensively to stymie the Jets’ comeback attempts.
The victory is particularly uplifting for Levanga, improving their win-loss record to 10-18. Coach's strategies to utilize Ramos as a key player off the bench appears to have paid off, signaling potential for future games as they continue to build on this performance. This match could be seen as not only pivotal for the present season but also as a launching pad for player growth and team chemistry.
Levanga's lineup is reflecting growth and resilience, and the excitement around Ramos’s performance hints at more competitive spirit moving forward, showcasing the promise of greater results as they look to continue building their momentum through the remainder of the B.LEAGUE season.
With significant contributions from players like Welsh and Ramos, Levanga Hokkaido fans can hold onto hope as the players gear up for the challenge of climbing the ranks against tougher opponents. The soaring spirit from their latest win may just provide the fuel they need for the weeks to come.