Holding a potent Taiwan Beer offense to six measly points in the fourth quarter, the Dacin Tigers broke away from an otherwise close battle to win Game 2 of the playoff series 84-70 at the Taipei County Gymnasium in Sinjhuang last night.
The win not only evened the best-of-five series at one game apiece, but also breathed new signs of life into the defending champs, who looked a bit intimidated the night before in a series-opening loss to the Brew Crew.
Taiwan Beer began Round 2 in high gear with a quick 11-4 lead early in the first.
However, the Tigers would answer with an 14-0 run of their own to actually lead it 23-33 after the first quarter of play. Neither club managed to pull away in an evenly fought second quarter that led to a 40-all tie at the half with Lin “the Beast” Chih-jeh leading the men in the green uniform with 11 first-half points and Byron Allen doing the same for the cats.
Dacin would skid ahead by as many as a dozen in the third quarter with Lin Yi-hui and Yueh Ying-li nailing several jumpers from the perimeter before the Brew Crew answered with a 7-2 run late in the quarter, highlighted by Chen Shih-nian’s buzzer-beating three to keep the Tigers’ lead at a reasonable six (70-64).
The six-point advantage proved sufficient for the Cats as they upped their defensive effort a notch by keeping the Beast scoreless for the entire second half, while Tien Lei and Chang Chih-fong picked up the scoring slack to run away with a convincing win the end.
Four different players scored in double-digits for the victorious Tigers, led by Allen and Tien’s game-high 17 points each.
The two squads will do battle once more this afternoon at 5pm in the all-important Game 3, where the winner will be one victory away from clinching the series.
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