Terrific 12: Guangzhou stops Seoul, books finals slot
Guangzhou Long-Lions vs Seoul Samsung Thunders during The Asia League’s ‘The Terrific 12’ Semi-final match at Studio City Event Center on 22 September 2018, in Macau, Macau. Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong / Power Sport Images for Asia League
MACAU—Guangzhou used a strong fourth quarter to put Seoul down, 88-74, and advance to the finals of the Aisa League The Terrific 12 Saturday at Studio City Events Center here.
The Long Lions, who beat the Samsung Thunders in the finals of the Super 8, from the Chinese Basketball Association will take on B.League’s Ryukyu in the championship match.
Guangzhou held a humble 70-66 lead midway through the fourth quarter but a quick 11-3 run saw Shirelijian Muxtar knock down three 3-pointers gave the Long Lions an 81-68 lead with 4:11 left in the game.
Long Lions head coach Juan Antonio Orenga said they had difficulties establishing their game at the start of the match with Seoul the first one to dictate the tempo, luckily for them they found their offense late in the fourth.
“Our big men started to play closer to the rim and that was the big difference,” said Orenga. “And the last seven minutes we were able to break the game.”
Guangzhou managed to outmuscle Seoul underneath the basket scoring 10 more points in the paint, 36-26, and outrebound the Samsung Thunders 14-9 in the offensive glass.
Kyle Fogg filled up the stat sheets for the Long Lions with 27 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists while Marreese Speights added 16 points and six rebounds.
Muxtar finished with 15 points, all of his field goals coming from deep, while Sun Mingyang pitched in 14 points and eight boards for Guangzhou.
Ben Mbala had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Samsung Tigers while fellow import Glenn Cosey had 16 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
The Korean Basketball League’s Samsung Tigers will face B.League’s Nagoya in the bronze medal match.
