Back-to-back victories over two worthy opponents have brought hope to the ETTV Antelopes as they kickoff the second half of the Super Basketball League season.
The Antelopes' 76-75 come-from-behind win over the previously red-hot Dacin Tigers (winners in six of their past seven contests) on Friday at the Taipei Physical Education College Gymnasium showed that their desire to win is still very much alive.
Veteran point guard Chou Jung-san finally lived up to his billing after being acquired by the Antelopes in one of the league's biggest off-season trades. He hit the game-winner with four seconds left remaining -- a running lateral jumper from the foul line that was impossible to defend.
Chou's late-game heroics helped complete a valiant comeback that started with the Antelopes being down by as many as 15 points in the third quarter.
Antelopes 91, Hunters 84
With the momentum on their side, the Antelopes played the Videoland Hunters shoulder-to-shoulder in Sunday's weekend finale by handing the former league leaders their third straight loss in a 91-84 decision.
The seesaw battle that featured over 10 lead changes had the Hunters up early with big men Lee Chi-yi and Lai Guo-hung doing most of the damage inside the paint.
But the Antelopes fought back with strong efforts by rookie forward Wu Jia-long (17 points and five rebounds for the game) and center Wu Dai-hao to force a 40-all tie by halftime.
Neither team managed to break out in front for more than five points during the third quarter until the Antelopes' Yang Yu-ming registered 18 of the Antelopes' 33 points in the final quarter.
The sharp shooter, known more for his outside shooting, penetrated the already-thin Hunters' low post defense.
The victory marked the first in coach Lee Yun-shiang's tenure with the Antelopes, after the former commentator assumed the helm under the title of "technical advisor" for the Antelopes to mitigate what had been a disastrous first half.
"I am glad we are finally playing as a unit," Chou Jung-san said.
Taiwan Beer 102,
Bank of Taiwan 95
Chen Shih-nian reached a new career-high scoring mark by registering 35 points for Taiwan Beer in their 102-95 win over the bankers on Friday.
The second-year point guard had 13-for-20 shooting from the floor to steal the spotlight away from fellow teammate Lin "The Beast" Chih-jeh.
Dinos 92, Lions 78
The defending champions took advantage of the 27 turnovers committed by the Lions in their 92-78 win on Sunday.
All-star center Tseng Wen-ding hit 10 of 12 field-goal attempts from inside the paint for a career-high 25 points.
The Yulon Dinos did not look particularly sharp in committing 21 turnovers of their own.
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