SBL Round 16: Fubon Braves keep a leadership position

Charles Garcia

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in SBL. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Fubon Braves as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Fubon Braves defeated 3rd ranked KKL at home 76-63. Worth to mention a great performance of Costa Rican-Belizean forward Charles Garcia (208-88, college: Seattle) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds. American forward Tony Mitchell (203-92, college: N.Texas) contributed with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. International guard Huan-Ya Yu (183-93) replied with 12 points and 4 assists for KKL. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fubon Braves (21-12) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Taiwan Beer. KKL at the other side keeps the third place with 15 games lost. KKL will play next round against strong Pauian trying to get back on the winning streak. Fubon Braves will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Dacin Tigers in Taipei.
Important game to mention about was the one when fifth ranked Yulon Luxgen (15-18) saved a 3-point victory edging 4th ranked Pauian (17-16) 84-81 on Thursday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Wei-Han Lin (178-90) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 assists and Walter Sharpe who added 11 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American swingman Orlando Johnson (196-89, college: UCSB) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Pauian's coach Yang I-Feng tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Despite that victory Yulon Luxgen went down to sixth position due to points difference. Defending champion Pauian keeps the fourth place with 16 games lost. Yulon Luxgen will play against bottom-ranked Bank of Taiwan (#7) in the next round. Pauian will play against Bank of Taiwan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Taipei was also quite interesting. Second ranked Taiwan Beer (21-12) played at the court of 5th ranked Dacin Tigers (16-17). Taiwan Beer did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 99-82 on Friday. The winners were led by Igor Zaytsev who had that evening a double-double by scoring 32 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 26 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals by OJ Mayo did not help to save the game for Dacin Tigers. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Taiwan Beer keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Fubon Braves. Dacin Tigers lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 17 games lost. Taiwan Beer will meet league's leader Fubon Braves in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Dacin Tigers will play against the league's leader Fubon Braves (#1) and hope to secure a win.
The game in was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Fubon Braves (21-12) played at the court of 5th ranked Yulon Luxgen (15-18). Fubon Braves managed to secure a 4-point victory 87-83. Charles Garcia fired a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Fubon Braves have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Taiwan Beer. Yulon Luxgen at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 18 games lost. Fubon Braves' next round opponent will be Dacin Tigers (#5) in Taipei. Yulon Luxgen will play against Bank of Taiwan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between fifth ranked Dacin Tigers (16-17) and 7th ranked Bank of Taiwan (8-25) in Taipei on Sunday ended with biggest points difference. Dacin Tigers outscored Bank of Taiwan 100-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Bank of Taiwan. It was a very good performance for Anthony McClain who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points and 19 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Dacin Tigers maintains fifth position with 16-17 record. Loser Bank of Taiwan stay dead last with 25 lost games. Dacin Tigers will face league's leader Fubon Braves in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Bank of Taiwan will play against Pauian (#4) and hope to win that game.