Kiefer keys epic Shiga comeback vs Thirdy's San-en in first-ever clash between Ravena brothers

Kiefer Ravena's Shiga Lakestars completed a 93-83 come-from-behind victory over brother Thirdy's San-en NeoPhoenix in the first clash in a rivalry between the two siblings Saturday in the 2021 Japan B.League at the Ukaru-chan Arena.

The older brother Kiefer provided a spark off the Shiga bench and came close to recording a double-double with 11 points, eight assists, three rebounds, and three steals while Thirdy finished with 11 markers and five boards.

Thirdy was part of San-en's starting five and gave his team its first field goal before his teammates ignited for a 9-4 run for an 11-6 lead early in the first.

Kiefer entered the game at the 5:12 mark of the first and scored his first basket with a layup at 9-17, with Shiga still trailing.

San-en then started to pull away in the second frame, igniting for a 14-7 blitz, four of which came from Thirdy who reinforced the team last season for a 12-47 win-loss record.

Kiefer, who plays for NLEX in the PBA, beat the buzzer at the end of the second period with a floater but his team was still behind with Thirdy and San-en leading 52-35 at halftime.

The Lakestars put up a fight in the second half, detonating for 28 points in the third while limiting San-en to only 22 as they cut their deficit to 11, 63-74, before heading into the payoff period.

They opened the fourth with a 17-0 run to retake the lead they first held at the 1-0 mark of the first quarter.

The older Ravena was crucial in that stretch, nailing a triple at 68-74 before his steal and an assist led to Sean O'mara slam. Another perfect dish by the NLEX guard led to a huge three-pointer for Shotaro Hayashi, to put them behind by a point, 73-74.

San-en did not score in the fourth until the 3:37 mark as Robert Carter split his free throws but they still trailed, 82-75, at that point.

San-en tried but Kiefer and Shiga maintained composure to book their first win of the season.

Ovie Soko paced Shiga with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and a block while guard Teppei Kashiwagura carved out 14 points.

Both teams will clash anew on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. (Manila time).

—JMB, GMA News