Pure Youth Construction roughed up the Taiwan Mobile Cloud Leopards with 51 second-half points to run away with a 92-72 win at the Taipei Physical Education College Gymnasium in Tianmu yesterday afternoon.
Chien Chia-hung had a big day in a rare starting assignment from assistant coach Liu Yi-shiang, whose decision to start with Chien looked brilliant in hindsight as the power forward racked up a game-high 15 points to lead the defending champs past their nemesis.
A big day by Chien also meant great news for Pure Youth center Quincy Davis, who played sparingly by design in the interest of giving the reserve players more floor time. However, that did not keep the recently naturalized Taiwanese citizen from downing 11 points and three rebounds in less than 14 minutes of play to show his value to his team.
“It was a big win for us, with all the foreign players that are coming into the league and teams making adjustments to play against us,” Davis said after the game.
His presence will undoubtedly be crucial for the Builders as they look to claim their third straight league title this season despite the departure of sharpshooter Doug Creighton to China.
As for the Leopards, although they lost the game and remain without a win in this year’s play, forward Chang Rong-hsuan’s continued development should put a smile on coach Cheng Chih-lung’s face. Chang has gradually become the Leopards’ top offensive threat and should have a bright season ahead of him.
Injuries to three guards exposed their bench depth problem, presenting Cheng with another headache as they prepare for the regular SBL season that starts in less than two weeks.
SHANDONG 64, LUXGENS 54
Shandong Kingston took advantage of a stellar defensive performance that held the Yulon Luxgens to 8 points in the fourth quarter to attain beat the four-time SBL champs last night.
Lu Cheng-rue’s 19-points helped Yulon to a 32-30 lead at the half, but the visitors did a better job of keeping him in check and steadily improved their offense in the second half en route to a double-digit victory.
DONGGUAN 109, TIGERS 92
The previously unbeaten Dacin Tigers stumbled against Dongguan New Century, losing to their Chinese opponents in the late game in Tianmu last night.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Taiwan yesterday survived Bosnia and Herzegovina to win their Davis Cup World Group I tie at the Taipei Tennis Center. The tight series started on Saturday with world No. 123 Jason Tseng losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Mirza Basic in the opening singles matchup. However, teammate Tony Wu kept the tie even, dominating world No. 86 Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-1. Yesterday, 24-year-old Ray Ho and partner 25-year-old Hsu Yu-hsiou kept up the momentum, making short work of Basic and Nerman Fatic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Tseng then suffered another defeat, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to Dzumhur in a brutal match that lasted more than two