EASTERN lost the first of its two knockout games scheduled 24 hours apart as the Hong Kong-based club bowed out of contention in the East Asia Super League (EASL) on Wednesday night.
The Taoyuan Pilots of the P. League+ bundled out Eastern in the race for a Final Four berth after an 87-61 blowout at the Taoyuan Arena in Taiwan.
The Pilots improved to 4-2 overall and secured the No. 2 Final Four berth in Group A along with the Hiroshima Dragonflies of Japan's B.League.
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As the second-seeded team in its group, the Pilots will face the top-seeded team in Group B in Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Final Four battle set March 7-9 in Macau.
The loss was a blow to Eastern, which travelled straight from Taipei to Manila to play a second straight do-or-die game as it eyes to remain in contention in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
The No. 7 seeded guest team takes on second seed and twice-to-beat TNT in the 7:30 p.m. main game on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Eastern decided to bring back original import Cameron Clark in lieu of Chris McLaughlin perhaps for a better match-up against TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
The Hong Kong team demolished TNT in their head-to-head duel in the eliminations, 105-84, as Clark hit for 36 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
McLaughlin had a double-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals, while Glen Yang led the locals with 16 points in the loss to the Pilots that ended Eastern’s campaign with an even 3-3 record.
Only the No. 2 team in Group B remains up for grab for the remaining Final Four berth and will be disputed by Meralco (2-3) and the New Taipei Kings (3-2).
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