By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Gregory Slaughter was a non-factor as the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka suffered an 80-71 defeat to Kagawa Five Arrows in the 2022-2023 Japan B.League Division 2 action at the Takamatsu General Gymnasium.

The former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings center was held scoreless in almost four minutes of action to go with one steal and two turnovers as Fukuoka dropped to an 11-19 slate.

The 7-foot-1 center tallied three points on one-of-two field goal shooting, to go with a rebound during Fukuoka’s 87-73 victory over the Five Arrows during their first encounter last Saturday, January 7.

Kyle Richardson and Takamichi Kodama led the way with 22 markers apiece, while Miles Hesson and Ryo Lida added 18 and 11 markers, respectively, as the Five Arrows improved to 9-22 with the win.

Marvelle Harris led Fukuoka in the losing cause with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Drew Gordon and Jordan Glynn added 11 markers apiece with the former adding 10 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Jordan Heading had efficient outside shooting but was not enough as Nagasaki Velca was defeated by Koshigaya Alphas, 83-78, at the Koshigaya Municipal Gymnasium.

Heading, a former Gilas Pilipinas gunner, unloaded three outside connections for 13 points along with five rebounds, four assists and three steals, but Velca dropped to a 19-10 slate.

Former NBA center Justin Harper had 22 points and nine rebounds, Brecott Chapman had double-double 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Alphas swept their two-game match with Velca for a 23-6 record.

On the other hand, Kobe Paras was limited offensively but it hardly mattered as the Altiri Chiba cruised to a lopsided 96-65 win over Earth Friends Tokyo Z at the Chiba Port Arena.

The former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons tallied just three points, on one-of-seven shooting from the field, to go with two assists and a steal as the Chiba improved to 25-5./ASC, WDJ