Yokohama’s Kiefer Ravena, Nagoya’s Francis Lopez, and ex-Japan B.LEAGUE import Matthew Wright are set to take part in the Hope Asia Hoop Festival in Manila this weekend.
A mix of current and former Filipino players from the Japan B.LEAGUE will take part in the upcoming Hope Asia Hoop Festival in Manila this weekend.
[ALSO READ: Japan B.LEAGUE returns to Manila for Hope Asia Hoop Festival 2025]
Among the Filipino players attending are Yokohama B-Corsairs' Kiefer Ravena, Fighting Eagles Nagoya’s Francis Lopez, and former reinforcement Matthew Wright.
On Day 1, Saturday, November 22, Ravena will serve as a coach during a basketball clinic to kickstart the morning festivities.
In the afternoon, Lopez will be a special guest for the one-on-one tournament, though he will not participate as a player.
Ravena is in his second season with the B-Corsairs, averaging 10.6 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in nearly 20 minutes per game.
Yokohama currently sits in 10th place in the Eastern Conference with a 6-12 record.
Meanwhile, Lopez, in his rookie season with the Fighting Eagles, is contributing 7.3 points and 3.4 rebounds across 18 games.
Nagoya shares the same 6-12 record as Yokohama.
Wright, who previously played for the Phoenix Super LPG, will return as a guest coach for the continuation of the basketball clinic on Sunday, November 23.
The veteran guard had multiple stints in Japan’s top-tier basketball league, including two seasons with Kyoto Hannaryz before joining the Kawasaki Brave Thunders.
In his final season with Kawasaki, Wright averaged 10.4 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.5 rebounds, shooting 35% from beyond the arc across 56 games.
The two-day event seeks to address social issues in the country through basketball while strengthening ties between Japan and the Philippines.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.