Round 16: CLS Knights defeat Westports MD in the closest game of the week

Maxie Esho

There was no lack of excitement in the last round games. The round ended with favorites losing the games and games ending by tiny margin. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Eighth-ranked Malaysian Westports MD (5-8) gave a tough game to sixth ranked Indonesian CLS Knights (9-7) in Surabaya on Wednesday. CLS Knights managed to secure only three-point victory 73-70. However their fans expected easier game. CLS Knights forced 19 Westports MD turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Nigerian power forward Maxie Esho (206-91, college: Massachusetts, agency: Two Points) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Doug Herring-Jr (191-87, college: Utica) who added 13 points and 10 assists during the contest. At the losing side American Winston Shepard (203-93, college: San Diego St., agency: Slash Sports) responded with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. CLS Knights have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place. Westports MD lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with eight games lost. CLS Knights are looking forward to face Singapore Slingers (#6) on the road in the next round. Westports MD will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Vietnamese Saigon Heat (10-6) against fourth ranked Hong Kong Hong Kong ELL (10-8) on Wednesday night. Visiting Saigon Heat was defeated by Hong Kong ELL in a tough game in Hong Kong 88-95. The winners were led by Maltese center Samuel Deguara (223-91) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) and ODarien Bassett supported him with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Even a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds by American center Kyle Barone (203-89, college: Idaho) did not help to save the game for Saigon Heat. Hong Kong ELL maintains fourth position with 10-8 record. Saigon Heat at the other side keeps the third place with six games lost. Hong Kong ELL will play against Macau (#7) at home in the next round. Saigon Heat will play against the league's leader SM Beermen (#1) in Manila and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Chinese Zhuhai managed to get a second victory, breaking the four-game losing streak on Wednesday night. This time they won against ninth-ranked Thailand Mono Vampire 119-114. Michael Taylor fired 39 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 8 assists (made all of his seven free throws) for the winners. Michael Singletary produced a triple-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists for lost side. Mono Vampire's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Zhuhai maintains tenth position with 2-14 record. Loser Mono Vampire keeps the ninth place with 12 games lost. Zhuhai will again meet higher ranked Mono Vampire (#9) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Mono Vampire will have a break next round.
ASEAN League top team - Filipino SM Beermen (11-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed tenth ranked Chinese Zhuhai (2-14) 100-81. It was a very good performance for Peter Ramos who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points, 22 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. SM Beermen's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. SM Beermen have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 11-2 record. Zhuhai lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 14 games lost. SM Beermen's next round opponent will be Saigon Heat (#3) at home, which may be the game of the day. Zhuhai will play against Mono Vampire (#9) in Bangkok and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Kuala Lumpur was also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Indonesian CLS Knights (9-7) played at the court of 8th ranked Malaysian Westports MD (5-8). CLS Knights defeated Westports MD 83-68 on Friday. Americans were the main players on the court. Worth to mention a great performance of Darryl Watkins who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. CLS Knights have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place. Westports MD lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with eight games lost. CLS Knights will face Singapore Slingers (#6) on the road in the next round.

The most impressive stats of the last round was 34 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 4 assists by Renaldo Balkman of SM Beermen.