Postseason action commenced in the Super Basketball League last night with top-ranked Taiwan Beer downing the Yulon Luxgens 94-87 at the Sinjhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City.
Hired-gun Emmanuel Jones had a huge day at the office with an outstanding all-around effort that included 26 points, 18 rebounds and five blocked shots, all of which were game-highs, to lead the regular season champs past a Yulon squad that simply ran out of gas toward the end of the game in an otherwise emotional victory.
What should have been an easy victory for the Brew Crew, who at one point led by as many as 19, turned into a dog-fight midway through the fourth quarter as the Luxgens powered to a 16-5 run that was aided by a full-court press to actually take the lead, albeit briefly, with less than five minutes remaining.
Photo: Lin Cheng-kung, Taipei Times
However, with the game on the line, it was Taiwan Beer who had the last laugh as shooter Yang Yu-ming converted on a key three-pointer that broke a 86-all deadlock to give his side the lead that it would not relinquish.
Yulon had a chance to draw or go ahead in the final minute of the game, with four free-throw attempts.
However, they only managed to hit one of the four free throws, leaving the door wide open for the Brew Crew to skid past them in a thrilling finish.
The two teams will meet again in Game 2 at 6pm at the Sinjhuang Gymnasium this evening in an important game for the defending champs, as another win by Taiwan Beer would give them a commanding 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.
In the night’s other action, it was:
‧ Tigers 80, Pure Youth 73
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