NLEX settles for 4th place after loss to Korea’s Etland anew in Macau tilt

Photo from Asia League Facebook

MACAU—NLEX dropped out of the podium after losing to Korean Basketball League’s Etland 67-62 in the bronze medal game of the Asia League Super 8 Sunday at Macau East Asian Games Dome here.

The Elephants trudged through a highly-physical game that saw two injury scares when Kenneth Ighalo lay on the floor early in the fourth quarter after getting hit in the thigh.

Park Bong Jin was also knocked down after Dave Marcelo elbowed him in the jaw that got him a trip back to the Road Warriors locker room.

Etland held a 65-56 lead with 1:42 left to play after Jung Young Sam’s three-point play but the Road Warriors made a late-game 6-0 run that cut the deficit to 65-62 after Ighalo’s layup with 10 seconds remaining in the game.

Kim Nak Hyeon, though, iced the game from the free throw line to finish off the Road Warriors.

Jeong Hyo Geun had 13 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks to lead the Elephants while Hong Gyeong Ki added 12 points.

Michael Miranda had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Road Warriors while Juami Tiongson also had 12 points.

Asi Taulava finished with an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double to aid NLEX.

In total, the two teams combined for 48 fouls.