Liu Chan edged past fellow Taiwan Beer teammate Chiang Yu-an 32-27 to win the distinction as the Super Basketball League’s Player of the Week earlier this week.
The third-year forward, who came into the new season with high expectations following his season MVP-winning campaign last year, showed no signs of slowing down as he averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, five assists and 3.5 steals in an outstanding all-around effort.
Even though he did not make it to the top three in any of the statistical categories, members of the National Basketball Writers’ Association recognized his contribution to the Brew Crew’s solid 2-0 start by casting their ballots in his favor.
“His ability to dominate a game is what makes him such an exciting player to watch and coach,” Taiwan Beer skipper Yen Chia-hua said of his star player last week.
Liu’s 10-point first quarter against the Dacin Tigers and 14-point second quarter against Kinmen Liquor came during critical junctures of the game to help the Brew Crew top their opponents.
“It’s an honor to be selected given the level of competition in the league this year, especially since my stats weren’t so great,” a somewhat surprised Liu said upon learning his selection to the weekly award.
“[Chiang] should’ve gotten [the Player of the Week honor] instead of me because it would be a tremendous encouragement to the rookie,” a modest Liu said of Chiang’s solid showing in his SBL debut.
Liu may be modest with his words off the court; but his uncanny plays on the court is what keeps drawing fans to Taiwan Beer’s games, especially in the central Taiwan region where Liu attended college at Changhua’s Mingdao University.
Liu, Chiang and the rest of the Brew Crew will have their hands full this weekend as they take on Bank of Taiwan in what should be a good matchup tomorrow afternoon before Sunday’s showdown against the three-time defending champs Pure Youth Construction.
It will be a true test for Taiwan Beer to see if they are indeed title contenders because both clubs will likely head into the contest with identical 3-0 records and the Builders will sure put their well-known pressure defense to work against the Brew Crew to create some easy baskets in their transition game.
Big man Patrick O’Bryant will also have to come up with a way to maneuver past Pure Youth’s defensive anchor, Quincy Davis, who has exceptional discipline in defending the low block and always seems to be in great position for rebounds inside the paint.
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