Kiefer Ravena and Dwight Ramos played crucial roles as the Asia All-Stars won the revamped Asia Cross Tournament in the 2026 B.LEAGUE All-Star Weekend.
Filipinos again made their presence felt as part of the Japan B.LEAGUE All-Star Weekend, powering the Asia All-Stars to a sweep of the Asia Cross Tournament Friday at the Happiness Arena in Nagasaki.
In the first matchup, Yokohama’s Kiefer Ravena erupted for eight early points to lead his team past the Rising Stars, 20-17.
Then in the Finals of the four-team joust, Dwight Ramos drilled the biggest shot — a game-winning triple to help the Asia All-Stars edge B2 Selected, 30-29, to seal the perfect run.
[RELATED: Ravena, Ramos power Asia All-Stars sweep in Japan B.LEAGUE All-Star Weekend]
With the Asia All-Stars coming together for a fourth All-Star Weekend, Ravena said that it was an opportunity to again show off how good Filipinos are.
For this edition, Ray Parks Jr. and AJ Edu joined Kiefer and Ramos in the active lineup.
“It's very important. Like what I said earlier, it happens once a year,” Ravena said of stepping up to the plate during All-Star Weekend.
“And of course, as Filipinos, it's very innate for us to have pride in everything that we do. So we're very proud that Dwight hit that game-winner, and we enjoyed this win.”
Though keeping himself focused on the present, the All-Star weekend also gave Ravena a moment reflect on his future in the B.LEAGUE.
Ravena has been in Japan since 2021, and the ongoing season is his fifth in the B.LEAGUE split between the Shiga Lakes and his current squad in the Yokohama B-Corsairs.
As opportunities continue to grow for Asian imports, Ravena targets a return to the Japan B.LEAGUE All-Star weekend next year.
“I hope [it’s not my last],” he said.
“I hope the B.LEAGUE can continue to support the growing Asian talent that we have. So we're looking forward, and it's always an honor to be able to play for the B.LEAGUE and the All-Star weekend.”
The B.LEAGUE All-Star weekend continues on Saturday with the Skills Challenge, 3-point shootout, and the Slam Dunk contest.
The Slam Dunk contest will have a taste of Filipino flair with Fighting Eagles Nagoya’s Francis Lopez.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.