Shiga’s game against Chiba was not just an acid test for Kiefer Ravena.
Of course, the focus was on how the 6-foot Filipino combo guard would fare against the B.League’s top floor general in Yuki Togashi. But the game was also a litmus test on where the Lakestars are in terms of development. After all, the Jets are the defending B.League champions.
Despite being on the wrong end of an 88-99 loss on Saturday, Ravena still felt proud of the stand Shiga made.
“I think we were able to perform well as a team,” said Ravena. “But we did not get the result that we wanted.
“I think the difference in facing a top team like Chiba is the physicality. With a young team like ours, one hundred-percent effort is not enough – it has to be one hundred and ten-percent.”
After figuring in a tight game in the second quarter, the Jets went loose prior to halftime behind their three big men in John Mooney, Christopher Smith, and Gavin Edwards.
Josh Duncan also got into the act in the third canto, helping extend Chiba’s lead to 14 points heading into the final frame.
Though Ravena gave a spirited rally to start the final frame, it fell short. Instead, Chiba handed Shiga its second straight loss. It did not help that Chiba’s physical defense forced them into tough layups in the endgame.
“I think we need to be consistent with our energy,” admitted Ravena, who had 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting with nine assists and two steals in the contest. He also helped limit Togashi to just 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
“That is what we need to adjust for tomorrow’s game. Being the visitors, we must come into the second half with more energy.”
Besides Ravena, Ovie Soko and Sean O’Mara put up their typical numbers. The former had 28 points on 50-percent shooting from the field with eight rebounds, while the latter tallied 17 points and 12 rebounds.
It’s the rest who should step up, according to Ravena – including himself.
“The other players, including myself, should be more active on offense,” he said. “It should be our strength being a young team.”
Come Sunday, Ravena vows that he and Shiga will use all the lessons they got in Saturday’s game. And this time, they hope for a different outcome.
“We have nothing to lose. It’s important for us to just learn and step up after each loss,” he said.
“From my end, I have to be physically prepared as well.”
