Marcial impressed by B-League

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said yesterday he was amazed by the staging of the Japan B-League All-Star Weekend at the jam-packed, 10,000-seat Lala Arena Tokyo-Ban in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture and picked up a lot of lessons that could be applicable locally. Marcial, PBA Board treasurer/Phoenix governor Atty. Raymond Zorrilla and SBP executive director Erika Dy witnessed the All-Star extravaganza on the B-League's invitation.

- JOAQUIN HENSON

Saturday's program featured the participation of Dwight Ramos, Kiefer Ravena, Matthew Wright, AJ Edu and Bobby Ray Parks on the Asia Quota Squad that lost a 124-121 decision to the Rising Stars made up of Japanese players from 21 to 25 with no more than five years of B-League experience. NBA player Rui Hachimura's brother Aren hit the go-ahead triple to lift the Rising Stars to victory from 18 down. Ravena shot 16, Parks and Wright 12 each, Edu 11 with 10 rebounds and Ramos, five..