WORKING behind their crisp passing and lethal three-point shooting, Changwon LG Sakers took bragging rights over the Barangay Ginebra Kings after topping their exhibition match dubbed ‘Asian Basketball Showdown,' 81-76, on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Christopher Massie won his personal duel against Ginebra big man Greg Slaughter as he played a big role in the win by the visiting Korean ballclub.
The 6-foot-7 Massie scored 24 points and 14 rebounds, while issuing three crucial assists inside the final two minutes that allowed the Sakers to pull away for good, 79-71, in the final 38. 2 seconds.
The 37-year-old Massie was later named MVP of the game.
Korean gunner Kim Yong Hwan was the recipient of Massie’s two assists which he converted into back-to-back three-point shots that proved to be the back-breaker against a fighting Ginebra side.
Joseph Yeo, playing his first game with Ginebra since being acquired during the off-season, buried a three-pointer of his own but it was not enough to salvage a win for the Kings.
Ki Seung Ho added 21, including three triples, while pint-sized guard Kim Si Rae poured all 13 of his points in the second half for the Sakers, who had been training together as a team since April.
Slaughter led the Kings with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Chris Ellis and Mac Baracael scored 13 apiece.
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