FORMER La Salle big man Taane Samuel seized the spotlight as the Manawatu Jets dealt the Taranaki Mountainairs a 102-93 whipping on Sunday at the 2020 Sal's NBL Showdown at The Trusts Arena in Auckland.
The 6-foot-8 Kiwi big man led his side with 24 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals as the Jets took their third win in six outings.
His jumper at the 3:14 mark of the third quarter sparked Manawatu's killer 16-0 blast that turned a 68-all deadlock into an 84-68 Jets lead.
Samuel, who played only four games in an injury-riddled stint with La Salle back in UAAP Season 81, has been stellar for the Jets as he currently averages 18.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists this NZ NBL season.
Jayden Bezzant also starred for Manawatu with 24 points, seven assists, and three boards, while Thomas Vodanovich registered a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds to go with three dimes and three steals.
It was a complete contrast to Ken Tuffin, who had his worst showing for the Mountainairs with four points, missing all four of his three-point attempts.
The Fil-Kiwi forward from Far Eastern University added five rebounds, an assist, and a steal in his 26 minutes on the floor.
Derone Raukawa topped Taranaki with 25 points, eight assists, and four rebounds. Shane Temara got 21 points and nine boards, as Marcel Jones had 16 and 16 to his name for the 3-3 Mountainairs.
Francis Mulvihill, who's studying in Enderun, tallied 14 points, as Joseh Nunag, another Fil-Kiwi guard from FEU, went scoreless and grabbed one rebound as he logged one minute and 37 seconds in his NZ NBL debut.
Taranaki seeks for a big bounce back against league leader Franklin Bulls on Tuesday.
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