The B.League has decided to cancel its All-Star weekend festivities set from January 14-15, 2022 at the Okinawa Arena due to the rising COVID-19 cases in Japan.
Many of the league’s players have contracted the virus forcing the Japan Basketball Association to postpone the quarterfinals of the 97th Emperor’s Cup yesterday.
B.League games this weekend are also facing the possibility of cancellation.
“I’m sure there are many fans who are disappointed that the event was cancelled for the second year in a row,” said B.League chairman Shinji Shimada. “I am very sorry for that.
“I am also very disappointed as I was confident that the biggest and best ALL-STAR GAME ever would bring a smile to everyone’s face, even if only a little, in this world that feels cooped up due to the COVID-19.“
Besides the All-Star Game between the Black and White teams, the B.League was also supposed its first Asian Quota Players versus Japan Rising Stars game on the 14th.
Kiefer Ravena of Shiga would have joined his brother Thirdy of San-En, Ray Parks Jr. of Nagoya, Dwight Ramos of Toyama, Kobe Paras of Niigata, Javi Gomez de Liaño of Ibaraki, Juan Gomez de Liaño of Tokyo Z, and Kemark Carino of Aomori in the Asian All-Stars.
Completing the team of Asian Quota Players are Brandon Jawato of Utsunomiya, Wang Weijia of Akita, Yang Jaemin of Shinshu, Liu Jin of Nishinomiya, and Lin Chihwei of Fukuoka.
Matthew Aquino of Shinshu was supposed to play for the Rising Stars, along with Kai Toews of Utsunomiya; Koh Flippin and Keita Imamura of Ryukyu; Yuto Nohmi of Niigata; Takumi Saito of Nagoya; Takuma Sato of Chiba; Taiki Osakabe of Tokyo; Keisuke Masuda and Satoru Maeta of Kawasaki; Ryogo Sumino of Mikawa; Eliet Donley of Osaka; and Ryo Terashima of Hiroshima.
Kiefer, Thirdy, Kobe, and Javi would have also taken part in the side events.
The league is still planning some events to celebrate the weekend.
“Although the ALL-STAR GAME has been cancelled, we will try to deliver some content on the same day for the fans to enjoy. In addition, despite the severe situation, we will continue the league games with a strong will as long as we are allowed to hold them with the cooperation of our fans.”
