LAPU-LAPU CITY – Rhenz Abando’s team salvaged its 2023-24 EASL campaign by bagging third place as the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters defeated New Taipei Kings, 78-76, on Sunday at the Hoops Dome.
Abando out due to back injury
Abando did not see action in the contest due to a back injury still related to his horror fall last December, but Jihoon Park showed the way for the Red Boosters with 29 points on their way to third place and the $250,000 cash prize.
The Red Boosters also got 18 points and 15 rebounds from import Bob Carter as the team got a podium finish in the EASL amid its struggles in the Korean Basketball League where it is currently in ninth place out of the 10 teams this season.
Anyang was dethroned after winning the EASL title last year and was relegated to the third-place game after losing to Seoul SK Knights in the Final Four last Friday.
Anyang survives Kings' rally
The Red Boosters, however, still survived a late fight by the Kings after leading by as many as 12 points in the contest.
Anyang held on after former Converge import Jamil Wilson forced a turnover to Chin Min Yang in the final possession of the game.
Byungjun Bae nailed a jumper to give the Red Boosters a 58-46 lead in the third quarter, forcing the Kings side to play catch-up the rest of the way.
The scores:
Anyang 78 – Park 29, Carter 18, Jeong 11, Wilson 11, Bae 5, Choi 4, Jung 0, Kim 0, Lee 0.
New Taipei 76 – Manigault 18, Yang 15, Daye 15, Blankley 13, Davis 8, Lin 6, Lee 1, Wang 0, Su 0, Hung 0.
Quarters: 18-13; 44-33; 64-57; 78-76.
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