Lin "The Beast" Chih-jeh's outstanding display of offensive power, netting 26.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest last month earned him the Most Valuable Player of the Month honor for the second straight month in Taiwan's Super Basketball League.
The third-year power forward for Taiwan Beer accounted for nearly one-third of his club's total offense (32 percent) last month and was the main reason that his team is in second place in the league standings -- one game behind the Yulon Dinos.
"Winning it [the monthly MVP honor] is already a big honor for anyone -- and doing it two months in a row is simply awesome," Taiwan Beer coach Yen Jia-hua said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SBL
Taiwan Beer won five of its last seven games, with the two losses, both one-point heart-breakers.
Lin has also learned a new skill this year. He is able to find the open man when he is being double or tripled teamed. His assist average has risen from 2.3 assists last year to 3.1 assists this year.
"I think the area that I have improved most this year in is my mental game," Lin said. "I have also learned to accept the fact that I am the go-to guy on this club and I will do whatever it takes to bring home the win."
Player of the Week
Tien Lei of the Dacin Tigers, meanwhile, pocketed the league's Player of the Week honor for the second straight week with exceptional play highlighted by his 45-point effort in a win over YMY on Sunday.
The SBL's season MVP for the past two years racked up 34.7 points and 13.3 rebounds in the Tigers' three wins last week.
"I'm glad that what I've done on the court has earned the respect of others," Tien said. "This is the best motivator that a player can get."
The Tigers face the slumping Videoland Hunters tonight. The Hunters are 2-4 over the last two weeks.
Tonight's other game will feature the Bank of Taiwan and YMY. The bankers may have a slight advantage as they face a young YMY lineup that has lost 12 straight.
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