The Filipino import provided the much-needed spark, unleashing big plays late, including a big jumper with 2:04 remaining, 83-80, to complete a comeback win over the upset-seeking Ibaraki.

Down by 11 points in the fourth canto, 75-64, the Lakestars cruised to an impressive 15-3 that the Gilas captain capped off with a floater to change the lead, 79-78, with 3:21 remaining in the clock.

Eric Jacobsen tried to stop the bleeding, scoring two free throws to give the lead back for the Robots, 80-79, but the Lakestars erupted to a crucial 10-0 run that Ovie Soko capped off from the line for the Lakestars’ 89-80 buffer with 27 seconds left.

Soko, a member of Great Britain’s national team, finished with 37 whopping points with five rebounds and a block while Novar Gadson added 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Ravena logged 13 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals as Shiga improved to 2-1 for the season. 

On the other hand, Ibaraki remained winless in three games with Javi Gomez de Liano, Ibaraki’s Asian Quota Player, still in quarantine.

Jacobsen paced the Robots with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Marc Trasolini chipped in 14 points, eight boards, and three assists in the collapse.

The two squads will face off again on Sunday, October 10, at 1:35 pm, Manila time.

The Scores:

Shiga 93 – Soko 37, Gadson 23, Ravena 13, O’mara 9, Hayashi 5, Kashiwagura 4, Moriyama 2, Nomoto 0, Ozawa 0, Shibuta 0, Imagawa 0.

Ibaraki 88 – Jacobsen 19, Trasolini 14, Tapscott 11, Fukuzawa 10, Tajima 9, Hirao 8, Tsurumaki 7, Nakamura 5, Taniguchi 3, You 1, Takahashi 1.

Quarters: 26-23, 45-45, 64-66, 93-88.