Derek Stribling’s display of offensive power, netting 27 points per game along with a dozen rebounds in a pair of wins for Taiwan Beer last week, earned him this week’s Super Basketball League (SBL) Player of the Week honor.
The US import, who joined the Brew Crew during the Lunar New Year break, has become the focus of the two-time champs’ latest offensive scheme with his versatility.
“He [Stribling] has really been an asset for us with his tremendous versatility and explosiveness,” Taiwan Beer head coach Yen Jia-hua said earlier this week. “He can play four of the five positions for us at any time.”
Willingness to make the necessary adjustments to meet the team’s goals is another factor that has made Stribling invaluable to Taiwan Beer, considering that he had not played organized basketball in the four months prior to joining his new team.
“I will try whatever it takes to help the team win and that’s why I’m here,” Stribling said after learning of his selection to the weekly award.
The Brew Crew have a chance to extend their winning streak to four with a pair of matches this weekend, starting with tonight’s contest against the last-placed Bank of Taiwan before Sunday’s battle versus the Taiwan Mobile Leopards.
Taiwan Beer are clear favorites against the Bankers, who have won only one game in their last 15. It will be a good chance for Yen to rest his starters for Sunday’s match against the Leopards, which will feature the league’s top scorer, Alexus Foyle.
TONIGHT’S GAMES
In addition to the Taiwan Beer-Bank of Taiwan game scheduled for 6pm this evening, the Dacin Tigers will take on the Yulon Luxgens with the resurgent Luxgens looking to pull off an upset win against the top-ranked Tigers.
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