The Taiwan Mobile Cloud Leopards proved no match for the visiting Golden Lions of Tianjin Ronggang, dropping a 63-60 decision in the opener of this year’s Taiwan Strait Cup at the Sinjhuang Sports Complex in New Taipei City last night to begin the season on a down note.
Still in search of their optimal lineup with the start of the regular season more than two months away, the Leopards featured newcomer Kwame Alexander of the US, who showed off his tremendous leaping ability with several monstrous slams to wow the crowd.
Even though he would end the night with 16 points to tie fellow forward Chang Yu-lin for the top scoring honor, his lack of size (2.01cm) and relatively predictable moves inside the paint did not live up to the coaching staff’s expectations.
“We are still trying to evaluate [Alexander’s] overall performance and will make a decision on his future with the team after the tournament,” newly hired Leopard skipper Yang Chih-hao said after the game.
Poor shooting from the free-throw line also contributed to the Leopards’ shaky start as they shot a dismal 12-for-22 from the charity stripe to leave several unclaimed points on the table in the opener of the three-day competition.
ZHEJIANG CHOUZHOU 87, PURE YOUTH 72
The defending SBL champs of Pure Youth Construction also fell short to the Zhejiang Chouzhou Golden Bulls in their first match of the tournament in New Taipei City last night.
Playing without their top center, Quincy Davis, and point man Chen Shih-chieh due to their participation on the national team, the Builders looked to Tsai Wen-cheng and Lin Chin-bang to pick up the scoring slack, and their 33 combined points put a smile on interim coach Liu Yi-hsiang’s face.
The Builders also suited up foreign help Justin Manns and Rob Cummings of the US to take a first look of the two potential additions to the team.
TODAY’S CONTESTS
The two Chinese clubs are to play each other in the early game this afternoon, followed by a showdown between the Builders and Leopards in a rematch of the Championship Finals last season.
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