AJ Edu, Gunma cruise past Dwight Ramos, Levanga in B.League Manila

AJ Edu’s Gunma Crane Thunders during a game vs Dwight Ramos and Levanga Hokkaido in the Japan B.League Manila preseason game at Mall of Asia Arena. –B.LEAGUE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Gunma Crane Thunders began the Manila leg of the Japan B.League preseason in rousing fashion, silencing Levanga Hokkaido, 98-81, at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday night.

AJ Edu played sparingly for the Crane Thunders, finishing with three points, seven rebounds and four assists, but his Gunma teammates more than made up for his off-night.

READ: Dwight Ramos hopes fans bring Gilas energy to B.League Manila games

“It’s always special to play at home,” Edu said. “We want to keep growing as a team and go through these wins.”

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WATCH: AJ Edu takes pictures with fans after Gunma’s win over Levanga. #BLeague | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/5aiiySDc5D

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Stanley Johnson led Gunma with 23 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Trey McKinney-Jones added 16 points, while Yuma Fujii had 14 points, three rebounds and three assists.

“It was a great experience and an honor [to play here],” said Johnson, a former NBA journeyman. “Starting the preseason this way is such a great pleasure.”

Dwight Ramos was held to 13 points for Levanga, while Keisei Tominaga’s 19-point performance went to waste in the defeat.

READ: AJ Edu’s dirty work helps propel Gilas to much-needed wins

Ramos and Edu returned to Mall of Asia Arena just weeks after playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the fourth window of the 2027 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The two Gilas mainstays will see action again Thursday night in the rematch at the same venue.