Holding the Yulon Luxgens scoreless for nearly six minutes in the decisive fourth quarter, Pure Youth Construction overcame a lethargic third quarter to come out on top 69-67 in Game 3 of their SBL semi-final series at the Taipei Physical Education College Gymnasium in Tianmu last night.
The win not only gave the defending champions a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series that will send the winners into the championship series, but also proved that the Builders can win the close games too after they had breezed past most of their opponents during the regular season with an incredible 26-4 record to storm into the post-season.
Nine quick points by James Mao led the way for Pure Youth as they took a slim 21-18 lead in the opening frame and they added four to the cushion with a solid second quarter to close out the first half with a 41-34 lead.
The halftime deficit did not rattle the Luxgens, though, as they swarmed back with a tremendous third quarter behind a fine effort by veteran Lee Chi-yi and hired gun Herve Lamizana, who led to a 10-0 run midway through the quarter to tie the game at 49-49.
Yulon actually led by as many as seven points at the six-minute mark in the fourth, before an all-out defensive effort by the Builders held them scoreless until the closing seconds of the contest.
“We know defense wins games in the post-season and that was exactly what happened tonight — we played ‘tough D’ as a team and I am glad we came out ahead in the end,” Mao said after the game.
Yulon had several opportunities to close the gap during the five-plus minute scoring drought in the fourth quarter with nine free-throw attempts, but they managed to convert only three, including six straight misses at crucial junctures as they self-destructed.
Yesterday’s other result:
‧Leopards 65, Tigers 62
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care