TPBL Round 18 (Regular Season): #1 Taiwan Beer L. is defeated by Dreamers

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Leopards (17-6) against third ranked Dreamers on Saturday night. Dreamers were edged by third ranked Dreamers (13-11) 100-98. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Dreamers looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. American power forward Aric Holman (208-1997, college: MSU) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Ghanian-American power forward Ben Bentil (206-1995, college: Providence) chipped in 20 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was Mali power forward Cheick Diallo (206-1996, college: Kansas) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 18 rebounds. Leopards' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dreamers have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Kings. Taiwan Beer L. at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. Dreamers is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Kaohsiung A. (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Taiwan Beer L. will play against the league's second-placed Kings (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Third-ranked DEA (12-11) gave a tough game to first ranked Leopards (17-6) in Taoyuan. Leopards managed to secure only three-point victory 96-93. However their fans expected easier game. International point guard Jin-Wei Gao (175-2000) notched 29 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and Cheick Diallo supported him with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Even a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds by Montenegrin forward Marko Todorovic (208-1992) did not help to save the game for N.Taipei CTBC. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Taiwan Beer L. maintains first position with 17-6 record. N.Taipei CTBC at the other side dropped to the fourth place with 11 games lost. Taiwan Beer L. will play against league's second-placed Kings in Taipei in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. N.Taipei CTBC will play on the road against Kaohsiung A. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Aquas managed to get a seventh victory, breaking the five-game losing streak on Wednesday night. This time they won against sixth-ranked Mars in Taipei 104-90. The best player for the winners was Kristijan Krajina who had a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). At the other side the best for losing team was Sheng-Ju Ting who recorded 29 points and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kaohsiung A. maintains seventh position with 7-17 record. Taipei TM lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 15 games lost. Kaohsiung A. will meet higher ranked N.Taipei CTBC (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Taipei TM's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Taipei to the arena Kings.

In the last two games of round 18 Taipei TM was destroyed by Kings 116-95. Kings managed to outperform Lioneers 100-85.



Taipei TM - Kaohsiung A. 90-104

Bottom-ranked Aquas managed to get a seventh victory, breaking the five-game losing streak on Wednesday night. This time they won against sixth-ranked Mars in Taipei 104-90. Kaohsiung A. made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Kaohsiung A. outrebounded Taipei TM 50-28 including a 19-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Kaohsiung A. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was Croatian center Kristijan Krajina (208-1990, college: Mt.St.Mary's, agency: 011 Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Serbian forward Rade Zagorac (204-1995) chipped in a double-double by scoring 28 points and 13 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Sheng-Ju Ting (174-1998, college: St.Francis, IL) who recorded 29 points and 5 assists and the former international forward Samuel Manu (201-2000, college: UC Davis) added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Four Taipei TM players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kaohsiung A. maintains seventh position with 7-17 record. Taipei TM lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 15 games lost. Kaohsiung A. will meet higher ranked N.Taipei CTBC (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Taipei TM's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Taipei to the arena Kings.
Top scorers:
Kaohsiung A.: Z.Rade 28+13reb+2ast, K.Kristijan 25+15reb+4ast, H.Chen 9+3reb+5ast, S.Wu 9+2reb+1ast, E.Uwadiae-Odigie 9+6reb, F.Mayaw 6+1reb+1ast
Taipei TM: S.Ting 29+2reb+5ast, M.Samuel 15+5reb+4ast, L.Yen-Ting 11+4reb, H.Tsung-Han 10+5reb+2ast, C.Kuan-Chuan 9+1reb+1ast, C.Chang 7+3reb

Kings - Taipei TM 116-95

Rather expected game when 6th ranked Mars (8-15) were crushed by fourth ranked Kings (13-11) 116-95 on Saturday. Kings dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Mars's 40. Kings forced 22 Taipei TM turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Taipei TM's players. The best player for the winners was American forward Jordan Tolbert (200-1992, college: SMU) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Jamaican-American power forward Femi Olujobi (206-1996, college: DePaul, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Kings players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international forward Samuel Manu (201-2000, college: UC Davis) who recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Tsung-Han Huang (193-1994) added 22 points and 6 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kings have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Dreamers. Taipei TM lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 15 games lost. Kings will meet league's leader Taiwan Beer L. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Taipei TM will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kings: O.Femi 21+6reb+4ast, T.Jordan 17+13reb+5ast, Y.Lin 17+3reb+5ast, P.Wang 13+4reb, J.Smith 11+2reb+4ast, J.Lin 10+1reb+5ast
Taipei TM: H.Tsung-Han 22+6reb+1ast, M.Samuel 20+12reb+4ast, X.Ming-Jun 14+4reb+4ast, C.Chun 9+4reb, C.Wen-Hung 8+3reb+1ast, L.Yen-Ting 7+6reb+1ast

Taiwan Beer L. - Dreamers 98-100

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Leopards (17-6) against third ranked Dreamers on Saturday night. Dreamers were edged by third ranked Dreamers (13-11) 100-98. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Dreamers looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. American power forward Aric Holman (208-1997, college: MSU) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Ghanian-American power forward Ben Bentil (206-1995, college: Providence) chipped in 20 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was Mali power forward Cheick Diallo (206-1996, college: Kansas) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 18 rebounds and American-Liberian Lasan Kromah (198-1991, college: UConn, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Dreamers and four Taiwan Beer L. players scored in double figures. Leopards' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dreamers have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Kings. Taiwan Beer L. at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. Dreamers is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Kaohsiung A. (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Taiwan Beer L. will play against the league's second-placed Kings (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Dreamers: B.Ben 20+9reb+2ast, B.Julian 19+6reb+3ast, Y.Chiang 18+8reb+4ast, H.Aric 18+10reb+5ast, W.Randall 12+2reb+3ast, C.Ma 7+2reb+3ast
Taiwan Beer L.: M.Miller 23+8reb+1ast, L.Kromah 22+7reb+6ast, G.Jin-Wei 22+2reb+8ast, C.Diallo 18+18reb+3ast, C.Po-Yuan 9+3reb+1ast, T.Xun-Xiang 3+6reb+4ast

Kings - Lioneers 100-85

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Kings' (13-11) victory over 5th ranked Lioneers (11-10) 100-85 on Sunday. Kings made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. Kings outrebounded Lioneers 50-38 including 39 on the defensive glass. Kings looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was American-Bulgarian center Jason Washburn (213-1990, college: Utah, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 13 rebounds. Jamaican-American power forward Femi Olujobi (206-1996, college: DePaul, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds. Four Kings players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) who recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds and swingman Yun-Hao Chu (194-1997) added 16 points respectively. Lioneers' coach Wesam Al-Sous let to play eleven players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kings have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Dreamers. Lioneers lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with ten games lost. Kings will meet league's leader Taiwan Beer L. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Lioneers will play against the league's leader Taiwan Beer L. (#1) in Taoyuan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kings: W.Jason 26+13reb+1ast, O.Femi 24+11reb+2ast, D.Austin 14+9reb+4ast, J.Lin 12+6reb+15ast, R.Hsiung 9, Y.Lin 7+5reb+4ast
Lioneers: T.Holyfield 20+13reb+2ast, Y.Chu 16+3reb+1ast, H.Tien 9+1ast, A.Pasecniks 8+1reb, K.Kao 8+5reb+4ast, D.Pember 8+9reb+3ast

Taiwan Beer L. - N.Taipei CTBC 96-93

Third-ranked DEA (12-11) gave a tough game to first ranked Leopards (17-6) in Taoyuan. Leopards managed to secure only three-point victory 96-93. However their fans expected easier game. Taiwan Beer L. made 19-of-24 charity shots (79.2 percent) during the game. International point guard Jin-Wei Gao (175-2000) notched 29 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and Mali power forward Cheick Diallo (206-1996, college: Kansas) supported him with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Even a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds by Montenegrin forward Marko Todorovic (208-1992) did not help to save the game for N.Taipei CTBC. American forward Nick King (201-1995, college: MTSU) added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Taiwan Beer L. and four N.Taipei CTBC players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Taiwan Beer L. maintains first position with 17-6 record. N.Taipei CTBC at the other side dropped to the fourth place with 11 games lost. Taiwan Beer L. will play against league's second-placed Kings in Taipei in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. N.Taipei CTBC will play on the road against Kaohsiung A. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Taiwan Beer L.: J.Gao 29+5reb+6ast, D.Cheick 17+15reb+1ast, M.Chris 14+9reb+7ast, S.Lin 12+3reb+2ast, X.Tsao 11+3reb, M.Malcolm 11+7reb+2ast
N.Taipei CTBC: M.Todorovic 20+13reb+3ast, N.King 17+6reb+5ast, H.Ya-Hsuan 17+1reb+7ast, L.Wei-Han 11+3reb+4ast, T.Wen-Ting 11+8reb+2ast, J.Ting-Jhao 9+1reb