B.League: Gunma sweeps Manila games after OT win over Levanga

AJ Edu and Gunma Crane Thunders huddle during a game vs Levanga Hokkaido in the Japan B.League Manila preseason. –B.LEAGUE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Gunma Crane Thunders ruled the Japan B.League Manila Games after defeating Levanga Hokkaido, 101-91, in overtime Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Gunma followed up its 98-81 win over Hokkaido on Wednesday night to sweep the Manila leg of its preseason.

The Crane Thunders trailed by five late in regulation, 85-80, before a 7-2 run tied the game at 87-all with 2:12 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Levanga’s John Harrar converted two free throws, but Takuto Nakamura answered with a bucket to tie the game at 89-all with 50.5 seconds left, sending it to overtime.

The extra period was all Gunma as the Crane Thunders raced to a 7-2 run for a 96-91 lead.

Yuma Fujii, who finished with 18 points, then knocked down a dagger 3-pointer to keep Levanga at bay, 99-91, with 42 seconds left.

Nakamura top scored for Gunma with 25 points while Stanley Johnson helped the cause with 17. Kerry Blackshear Jr. scored 12 while Filipino import AJ Edu flirted with a double-double after tallying nine points and nine rebounds.

Keisei Tominaga’s 34-point explosion went for naught in the loss. Dwight Ramos added 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal, while Harrar posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.