Asia League: Mbala buzzer-beater saves Seoul past Fubon

Fubon Braves vs Seoul Samsung Thunders during The Asia League’s ‘The Terrific 12’ at Studio City Event Center on 18 September 2018, in Macau, Macau. Photo by Chung Yan Man / Power Sport Images for Asia League

MACAU—Former La Salle star Ben Mbala came through in the nick of time to lift Seoul past Fubon, 84-82, in the Group B of the Asia League The Terrific 12 Tuesday at Studio City Events Center here.

Guard Glenn Cosey made everything possible, attracting the defense of big man Daniel Orton that allowed him to lob a pass to Mbala underneath for the game-winning layup.

“I wanted to go one-on-one up top but I brought it back and I saw Ben wide open for an easy layup,” said Cosey whose team is a two-time champion in the prestigious Korean Basketball League.

“My guy over helped, and Glenn gave me the perfect pass,” said Mbala. “I finished it, we got the W, that’s just instinct.”

The Samsung Thunders, however, played catch-up late in the game after falling 79-73 with 3:08 remaining in the fourth after Orton’s three-point play.

Despite getting the win, Seoul head coach Lee Sangmin was dissatisfied with his team’s performance, especially in the glass.

The Braves outrebounded the Samsung Thunders 54-34 and Seoul’s total is just one more than Fubon’s defensive rebound tally.

“We allowed too many rebounds and we are supposed to lose with those numbers,” said Lee through a translator. “Wasn’t a satisfying game but we ended up with the W (win) and that’s good.”

Cosey put up a game-high 28 points with seven assists for the Samsung Thunders while Mbala had 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Shaquille Keith, who fouled out with 5:09 left, had 23 points for the Braves who plays in the Super Basketball League of the Republic of China.