Tempers flared in Saturday’s showdown between National Taiwan Normal University and the defending champs from Fu Jen Catholic University where the future educators from Taipei City humbled their cross-town rivals from Taipei County in a 92-71 final in the second round action of the University Basketball Association (UBA) championship.
Several questionable calls on the part of the officiating crew, coupled with the vendetta-seeking mindset of the National Taiwan Normal led to the ejection of head coach Shih Ming-tsong and starting center Wu Dai-hao for throwing his coat in protest of a call and intentionally fouling an opposing player respectively.
Both parties were expected to serve a one-game suspension in yesterday’s contest versus the 11-0 Chinese Culture University in the battle of the two unbeatens, where the winners will earn an automatic top-seed berth in the upcoming Finals next March.
With big name SBL players such as Wu, Jien Jia-hong, and Cheng Ren-wei in its lineup and Fu Jen missing three of its regular starters due to injuries and other off-court problems, the game was all-National Taiwan Normal from the opening topoff. Even though Fu Jen had the home crowd behind it and flashed signs of brilliance at times, there were never any doubts about the outcome of this one as National Taiwan Normal breezed right by the home hosts.
In other actions earlier on Saturday, National Taiwan University of Arts downed the National Kaohsiung Normal University in a sloppily played 54-45 affair to up its record to 2-4 in the second round of play.
Versatile guard/forward for the artists Chang Bo-sheng led all scorers with 19 points and 11 rebounds in his third double-double performance of the week to account for nearly a third of his team’s total offense.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely