Round 21: Macau defeats leader SM Beermen

Mikh McKinney

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Filipino SM Beermen (17-4) on the court of sixth ranked Chinese Macau on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by Macau 116-103. They made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. It was a good game for American-Filipino guard Mikh McKinney (184-92, college: Sacramento St.) who led his team to a victory with 40 points (!!!). American guard Anthony Tucker (193-89, college: MSU Moorhead) contributed with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 15 assists for the winners. American-Puerto Rican forward Renaldo Balkman (203-84, college: S.Carolina) answered with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 5 assists for SM Beermen. Despite that victory Macau went down to seventh position due to points difference. SM Beermen at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost. Macau are looking forward to face league's second-placed Formosa D. in Changhua City in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. SM Beermen will play on the road against Singapore Slingers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Surabaya. Third ranked Singapore Singapore Slingers (13-8) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 7th ranked Indonesian CLS Knights (11-12) 71-68 on Wednesday evening. American players dominated the game. Power forward John Fields (205-88, college: Tennessee) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 18 rebounds for the winners and Xavier Alexander chipped in 23 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. The best for the losing side was center Darryl Watkins (211-84, college: Syracuse) with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. Singapore Slingers have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 13-8 record having four points less than leader SM Beermen. CLS Knights at the other side dropped to the sixth position with 12 games lost. Singapore Slingers will play against league's leader SM Beermen in Manila in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. CLS Knights will play at home against Westports MD (#9) and hope to get back on the winning track.
One of the most interesting games of round 21 was a derby match between two teams from China. Sixth ranked Macau outleveled visiting Zhuhai (2-20) 99-65. Anthony Tucker nailed a double-double by scoring 26 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists for the winning side. Macau's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Michael Bell came up with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks for Zhuhai in the defeat. Despite that victory Macau went down to seventh position due to points difference. Zhuhai lost sixth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 20 lost games. Macau will meet league's second-placed Formosa D. in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zhuhai will play against Saigon Heat (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Hong Kong Hong Kong ELL (13-11) and Thailand Mono Vampire (7-14), which took place in Bangkok. 4th placed Hong Kong ELL lost to ninth ranked Mono Vampire in a road game 79-86. The best player for the winners was Malcolm White who scored 28 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Mono Vampire moved-up to eighth place. Hong Kong ELL at the other side keeps the fourth position with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last game of round 21 Macau was beaten by Formosa D. on the road 99-89.