Saigon’s Michael Williams. Photo from Asean Basketball League
Filipino-American Michael Williams lit up for Saigon as the Vietnamese club pulled off a 121-115 upset over league-leader Hong Kong in the Asean Basketball League Tuesday at Southorn Stadium.
Williams, a Filipino who resides in the United States, finished with almost a triple-double with 39 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, and two steals as he led the Heat to a 3-2 record and their second straight win.
Saigon is the first team in the league to hand Hong Kong a loss with the Eastern Basketball Team dropping to 7-1.
Williams, who made the game-tying triple with 31 seconds left in regulation, went on a personal 8-0 run in the final 1:08 of the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime, 106-106.
With the scores tied at 113-113 with 1:26 left in overtime, Williams then scored on six straight points in the extra period to effectively finish off Hong Kong.
Fil-German Christian Standhardinger’s 37-point and 19-rebound night went to naught as he struggled from the free throw line going 5-of-17.