TPBL Round 25 (Regular Season): Taiwan Beer L. lose to Lioneers

The Regular Season in TPBL is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Leopards (21-11) recorded its eleventh loss against third ranked Lioneers on Saturday night. Leopards were edged by third ranked Lioneers (18-13) 79-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Leopards. Lioneers made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. The former international point guard Kuo-Hao Kao (179-1998, college: SEMO) fired 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Malcolm Miller (201-1993, college: Holy Cross) produced 28 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Lioneers have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 18-13 record having four points less than leader Taiwan Beer L. Taiwan Beer L. at the other side still keeps top position with 11 games lost. Lioneers are looking forward to face league's second-placed Dreamers in Changhua in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Taiwan Beer L. will play on the road against N.Taipei CTBC and is hoping to win this game.
Seventh-ranked Aquas (9-24) made lots of trouble for fourth ranked Kings (17-15) in Kaohsiung. Kings managed to secure only one-point victory 112-111. However their fans expected easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Jordanian Jalen Harris (196-1998, college: Nevada) who helped to win the game recording 32 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Jason Washburn contributed with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Kings' coach John Patrick used entire bench in such tough game. Lithuanian Edgaras Zelionis (207-1989) answered with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for Kaohsiung A.Defending champion maintains fourth place with 17-15 record. Kaohsiung A. lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 24 games lost. Kings will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kaohsiung A. will play on the road against N.Taipei CTBC (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game was when Second ranked Dreamers faced 3rd placed Lioneers. Dreamers (20-12) defeated Lioneers (18-13) 94-85. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Lioneers. Aric Holman stepped up with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. At the losing side Marin Maric responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dreamers maintains second place with 20-12 record behind leader Taiwan Beer L. Loser Lioneers keep the third position with 13 games lost. Dreamers will meet Taipei TM (#6) in the next round. Lioneers will play again against the league's second-placed Dreamers in Changhua and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 25 Taipei TM defeated Kaohsiung A. 104-93.



Kaohsiung A. - Kings 111-112

Seventh-ranked Aquas (9-24) made lots of trouble for fourth ranked Kings (17-15) in Kaohsiung. Kings managed to secure only one-point victory 112-111. However their fans expected easier game. Kings players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Jordanian Jalen Harris (196-1998, college: Nevada) who helped to win the game recording 32 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. American-Bulgarian center Jason Washburn (213-1990, college: Utah, agency: Pensack Sports) contributed with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Kings' coach John Patrick used entire bench in such tough game. Lithuanian Edgaras Zelionis (207-1989) answered with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Hunter Maldonado (201-1999, college: Wyoming, agency: Octagon Europe) added 21 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists in the effort for Kaohsiung A.Four Kaohsiung A. players scored in double figures. Defending champion maintains fourth place with 17-15 record. Kaohsiung A. lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 24 games lost. Kings will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kaohsiung A. will play on the road against N.Taipei CTBC (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kaohsiung A.: E.Zelionis 26+5reb+4ast, H.Maldonado 21+5reb+8ast, L.Wei-Ting 17+1ast, K.Krajina 10+13reb+4ast, M.Fotol 10+2reb, Y.Chun-An 9+4reb+1ast
Kings: H.Jalen 32+9reb+6ast, W.Jason 28+11reb+5ast, O.Femi 19+4reb+1ast, R.Hsiung 8+4reb+1ast, J.Lin 7+3reb+5ast, S.Su 6+4reb+3ast

Lioneers - Taiwan Beer L. 79-76

Top ranked Leopards (21-11) recorded its eleventh loss against third ranked Lioneers on Saturday night. Leopards were edged by third ranked Lioneers (18-13) 79-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Leopards. Lioneers made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. The former international point guard Kuo-Hao Kao (179-1998, college: SEMO) fired 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. Four Lioneers players scored in double figures. American forward Malcolm Miller (201-1993, college: Holy Cross) produced 28 points and 9 rebounds and Filipino-American forward Chris McCullough (208-1995, college: Syracuse) added 15 points and 18 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Lioneers have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 18-13 record having four points less than leader Taiwan Beer L. Taiwan Beer L. at the other side still keeps top position with 11 games lost. Lioneers are looking forward to face league's second-placed Dreamers in Changhua in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Taiwan Beer L. will play on the road against N.Taipei CTBC and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Taiwan Beer L.: M.Miller 28+9reb+2ast, L.Kromah 16+11reb+6ast, C.McCullough 15+18reb, G.Jin-Wei 9+4reb+1ast, T.Xun-Xiang 5+3ast, T.Yung-Chuan 3+4reb+1ast
Lioneers: H.TJ 14+8reb+2ast, P.Drew 13+8reb+2ast, C.Tsai 12+7reb, K.Kuo-Hao 12+7reb+6ast, K.Lu 10+1ast, M.Marin 9+11reb+1ast

Kaohsiung A. - Taipei TM 93-104

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Aquas' (9-24) loss to sixth ranked Mars (11-21) 93-104 on Sunday. Taipei TM looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Senegalese center Youssou Ndoye (213-1991, college: St.Bonaventure) stepped up and scored 37 points (!!!) and 23 rebounds for the winners and the former international guard Sheng-Ju Ting (174-1998, college: St.Francis, IL) chipped in 20 points, 5 rebounds and 16 assists. Mars' coach Hao-Cheng Hsu used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Croatian center Kristijan Krajina (208-1990, college: Mt.St.Mary's, agency: 011 Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 17 rebounds and 7 assists and center Chin-Yao Shih (188-1990) scored 25 points. Five Kaohsiung A. players scored in double figures. Taipei TM maintains sixth place with 11-21 record. Kaohsiung A. lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 24 games lost. Taipei TM will meet league's second-placed Dreamers in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kaohsiung A. will play against N.Taipei CTBC (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kaohsiung A.: S.Chin-Yao 25+2reb+2ast, W.Yen-Lun 16+1reb+1ast, S.Wen-Ju 16+8reb+4ast, K.Krajina 15+17reb+7ast, M.Fotol 12+8reb+1ast, L.Hu 9+1reb+5ast
Taipei TM: N.Youssou 37+23reb+2ast, T.Huang 24+3reb+2ast, T.Sheng-Ju 20+5reb+16ast, W.Chen 8+3reb+3ast, M.Xie 6+3reb+2ast, C.Kenneth 5+2reb+3ast

Lioneers - Dreamers 85-94

An exciting game was when Second ranked Dreamers faced 3rd placed Lioneers. Dreamers (20-12) defeated Lioneers (18-13) 94-85. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Lioneers. Dreamers had a 19-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American power forward Aric Holman (208-1997, college: MSU) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 16 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import forward Trey Thompkins (208-1990, college: Georgia, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 18 points and 15 rebounds. At the losing side Croatian center Marin Maric (211-1994, college: DePaul, agency: BIG) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds and guard Po-Yu Tseng (186-1996) scored 14 points and 6 assists. Five Dreamers and four Lioneers players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dreamers maintains second place with 20-12 record behind leader Taiwan Beer L. Loser Lioneers keep the third position with 13 games lost. Dreamers will meet Taipei TM (#6) in the next round. Lioneers will play again against the league's second-placed Dreamers in Changhua and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Lioneers: M.Maric 19+15reb+1ast, P.Tseng 14+4reb+6ast, L.Kuan-Hsuan 12+5reb+2ast, K.Kao 12+2reb+4ast, T.Cheng-Kang 8+2reb+4ast, L.Cheng-Hsun 7+7reb+2ast
Dreamers: H.Aric 32+16reb+1ast, T.Trey 18+15reb+3ast, C.Tsung-Hsien 13+4reb+4ast, Y.Chiang 12+5reb+2ast, B.Ben 11+8reb+5ast, K.Lu 3+2ast