A total of 12 games scheduled from Sunday to Monday have been put off due to the rising cases of COVID-19 virus in the country including players and staff who have been affected. 

Games that are canceled include San-En NeoPhoenix versus Levanga Hokkaido at Hokkai Kitayell, Niigata Albirex BB’s games against the Osaka Evessa at Ookini Arena Maishima, Nagoya Diamond Dolphins and the Ibaraki Robots, and Shinshu Brave Warriors against the Hiroshima Dragonflies.

There were 10 Levanga and eight Robots players who are reported close contacts after their weekend duel against the Ryukyu Golden Kings and will all have to undergo quarantine.

Levanga Hokkaido, Alvark Tokyo, and Ryukyu Golden Kings in the B1 also had at least one player who tested positive.

Hiroshima Dragonflies had a total of 18 players and staff who tested positive, while Osaka Evessa had nine. 

Other teams, meanwhile, are in close monitoring whether they will also postpone their weekend games, which includes the duel between Shiga Lakestars and SeaHorses Mikawa at Wing Arena Kariya

Meanwhile, the B-League’s All-Star game which was originally scheduled for Jan. 15 in Okinawa Prefecture, was called off for the second straight year.

San-En (4-22) was seeking to snap a three-game skid over Hokkaido (11-15) in their duels slated on Sunday and Monday.

Filipino guard Thirdy Ravena has been consistent for the NeoPhoenix, garnering 12.7 points on 41-percent shooting from the field, on top of 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steal in 26.8 minutes.

Niigata (2-24), on the other hand, was aiming to end their 23-game losing streak against Osaka (13-13) scheduled this weekend. 

Nagoya (18-8) is also working to preserve its spot in the top five, while Ibaraki (5-21) is looking for a breakthrough to end their three-game skid.