Seoul jolts Shandong, makes Terrific 12 semis

Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Shandong Xiwang during The Asia League’s ‘The Terrific 12’ at Studio City Event Center on 19 September 2018, in Macau, Macau. Photo by Chung Yan Man / Power Sport Images for Asia League

MACAU—Seoul barged into the semifinals after making easy work of Shandong, 85-73, in the group stage of the Asia League The Terrific 12 Wednesday at Studio City Events Center here in Macau.

The Samsung Thunders topped Group D with a perfect 2-0 record and eliminated the Golden Stars of the Chinese Basketball Association and Super Basketball League’s Fubon.

Seoul built a sizeable 32-24 lead after the first quarter but upped the ante in the second, outscoring the Golden Stars 22-9 to head into the break with a 54-33 buffer.

“We expected the game to be hard so we asked the players to focus but be relaxed and unexpectedly we shot 64 percent from three (16-of-25)and the game was over in halftime,” said Seoul head coach Lee Sangmin.

“I told the team to stay focused on what we practiced.”

Glenn Cosey filled up the stat sheets with 21 points, five rebounds, and eight assists for the Samsung Thunders while Ben Mbala put up 19 points and five boards.

Donatas Motiejunas led Shandong with 15 points and 16 boards.

Seoul is set to face Guangzhou in the semifinals while Shandong will meet Fubon on Thursday to complete its schedule.