Gunma outlasts Hokkaido in OT to sweep B.League Manila Games

Takuto Nakamura and Yuma Fujii took charge in the extra period as the Gunma Crane Thunders outlasted Levanga Hokkaido, 101-91, to complete a sweep of the B.League Manila Games at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, Sept. 10. The Crane Thunders squandered a huge early double-digit advantage but regained their footing in the overtime period all thanks to the timely hits from Nakamura and Fujii to assert their mastery over Hokkaido in their two-game pre-season series. Nakamura led the way with 25 points while Yujii fired 18 points — none bigger than the booming triple in the extra period that capped a 10-2 pullaway for the Crane Thunders. World import Stanley Johnson chipped in 17 points while Filipino big man AJ Edu anchored the defensive end with nine points and nine rebounds. The 6-foot-10 center was also hailed as the exhibitions’ Most Valuable Player. The steady play from the Gunma guards spoiled a 34-point explosion from Japan national team member Kensei Tominaga while import Marques Bolden had 12. Both Tominaga and Bolden, however, were left watching from the bench in the waning minutes after fouling out of the game. Filipino ace Dwight Ramos tried to pick up the slack and chipped in 17 points but it was not enough to complete their comeback from an early 18-point deficit.