Photo from Asia League Facebook
MACAU—Guangzhou avoided a late-game collapse and survived Seoul’s rally to come away with a 78-72 victory and the championship in the Asia League Super 8 Sunday at Macau East Asian Games Dome.
The Long Lions held a big 16-point lead, 65-49, at the 7:38 mark of the fourth quarter after Zheng Zhun’s layup.
That lead, however, dissipated after the Samsung Thunders went on an electrifying 20-6 run that Kim Dong Uk’s three-pointer capped off that pulled the Korean side to within two, 71-69, with 58 seconds left to play.
Guangzhou managed to survive through free throws as the Long Lions went 7-of-8 from the line in the final minute of the game.
Ju Mingxin led the Long Lions with 25 points and five rebounds while Zheng had 13 points and seven boards.
Lee Gwan Hee put up 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Samsung Thunders while Kim and Jang Min Guk had 14 and 12 points, respectively.