Cooper's clutch three-point barrage sinks Johor as Dewa United seal top seed in BCL Asia-East Final 6

DJ Cooper (183-PG-1990, college: Ohio) drilled back-to-back three-pointers in a personal 8-0 run with under three minutes remaining to turn a three-point deficit into a five-point lead, powering Dewa United Banten to a 94-87 comeback victory over Johor at Arena Larkin Indoor Stadium on Thursday and clinching the Group A top seed for Saturday's semifinals. The Indonesian side trailed by as many as 12 in the first half before mounting a second-half rally capped by a devastating 27-point fourth quarter. Cooper finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, and 12 assists saving his most assertive offensive burst for the moments that mattered most and silencing a stunned home crowd.
Joshua Ibarra (211-C-1995, college: HCU) was the game's statistical leader with 25 points and 16 rebounds for 31 efficiency, while Troy Gillenwater (205-F-1988, college: NM State) matched him with 25 points and seven rebounds. Rio Disi (185-SG-1992) added 10 and sealed the victory with two free throws with 9.7 seconds remaining.
"We were just not playing together in the first half," Ibarra said. "We made some adjustments, started believing we can win once we do that, we can win any game."
For Johor, Ting Chun Hong led with 26 points in a redemption performance after a subpar showing against the Chinggis Broncos, and had given his side an 87-84 lead with 2:49 left before Cooper took over. Clark Cameron (201-F-1991, college: Oklahoma, agency: Slash Sports) added 24 points and eight rebounds, Scottie Lewis (196-G-2000, college: Florida) had 19 and seven assists, and Marcus Lee (208-C-1994, college: California) despite just three points stuffed the stat sheet with 16 rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks.
The defeat eliminated Johor from the competition with a 0-2 group record, ending their campaign at 2-6 overall. The Chinggis Broncos advance as Group A's second seed at 1-1.
Dewa United, coming off a dominant victory over the defending champions the previous night, now face Taoyuan Pauian Pilots in Saturday's semifinal. South China topped Group B.
"Regardless of being in the first position, we wanted to win this game," said head coach Agustin Julbe. "We are in a competition where every game matters."