Jonathan Sanders’ great all-round game, averaging 25 points, 16 rebounds and four assists in his two games during the first week of play this season, earned him the Super Basketball League Player of the Week award.
The US import — who had led both of his former teams, the Videoland Hunters and the dmedia Numen, into the playoffs during a two-year stint in Taiwan prior to this season’s return — made his mark right away with an outstanding display of offensive power and solid courtside presence to lead a young Pure Youth Construction team.
“I would like to thank my teammates for their support and sound teamwork that made this honor possible,” Sanders said at the weekly press conference in Taipei yesterday. “I would also like to thank the fans for showing up at the games despite the cold weather.”
Sanders and his young teammates will have a great chance to make it two in a row against a weaker Bank of Taiwan squad, who have not had much success over the past two seasons, in Miaoli tomorrow before Sunday’s showdown versus perennial powerhouse Taiwan Beer to see what they are really made of.
The beer crew will clearly be the favorites in the game, which will showcase a twin-tower attack by big men Wu Dai-hao and offseason acquisition Delvin Thomas.
Thomas’ arrival should make the departure of former Taiwan Beer top scorer Lin “the Beast” Chih-jeh easier to take for skipper Yen Jia-hua.
Pure Youth will also have to guard against versatile Taiwan Beer forward Yang Jing-min, who represents a double threat with an inside game similar to that of the top centers in the league and an outside game that will force his opponents to play him tight.
Should Pure Youth manage to pull off a win against Taiwan Beer, they will undoubtedly have the lead in the standings with a 3-1 record in what is shaping up to be a very competitive year.
TONIGHT’S GAMES
Taking center stage at the Miaoli County Sports Complex at 6pm this evening will be a highly anticipated battle between Kinmen Liquor and Taiwan Beer featuring Kinmen’s newcomer Shawn “the Hawk” Hawkins and Taiwan Beer’s Thomas in what should be a very physical game.
Fresh off a big win over the Yulon Luxgens last Sunday, Kinmen Liquor will look to extend their winning streak by defeating Taiwan Beer, which will not be easy, since the beer crew have a point to prove after a tough loss to the Dacin Tigers last week.
Also tonight, Bank of Taiwan face the Yulon Luxgens in what should be a fairly easy win for the Luxgens.
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