Chen Shih-chieh’s clutch three-pointer on the back of Lin Chin-bang’s offensive rebound with 56 seconds left gave Pure Youth Construction an insurmountable 69-61 lead as they rallied in the fourth after leading Taiwan Beer for most of the game to win Game 6 of the Championship Finals 75-65 at the Sinjhuang Sports Complex in New Taipei City last night.
It was the second straight game that the speedy guard for the three-time defending champions has risen to the occasion as he scored the final nine points to singlehandedly deny the Brew Crew what would have been the title-clincher.
“I knew there was not much time on the shot clock, so I had to put it up,” Chen said after the game of his clutch three. “I’m just glad it went in.”
Photo: Lo Pei-der, Taipei Times
Chen is making a serious run to win his second Finals Most Valuable Player honor in three years.
The Builders took an early lead, going on a 6-0 run before the Brew Crew broke out of a scoreless three minutes and mustered an 8-0 run to take an 8-6 lead with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.
However, the Brew Crew had trouble guarding oversized center Garret Siler throughout the closely fought game, with the big man racking up seven of his 18 points in the second quarter.
Pure Youth forward Peng Chun-yan added six points from three-point range late in the second, helping close the first half with a 12-point advantage.
The Beer Crew staged a fast rally early in the third and went on an 8-0 run, with Chou Po-cheng’s four straight points inside the paint, cutting the Builders’ lead to four with 6 minutes, 47 seconds remaining in the quarter.
However, the Builders regrouped and rolled off a 9-0 run on the back of Tsai Wen-cheng, who dished an assist to Doug Creighton before hitting a reverse layup in a stellar performance.
The Beer Crew had an 11-0 run midway through the fourth and took the lead with five minutes remaining.
However, the Builders mustered another round of offensive drives, with Chen racking up 10 points in the quarter.
Only two players finished with double-digit scores for Taiwan Beer, with Chou pouring down a game-high 20 points.
Both teams get a day of rest before suiting up for tomorrow night’s decisive Game 7 in Sinjhuang, where the winners will take all.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm.
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