LAPU-LAPU CITY – Seoul SK Knights spoiled Rhenz Abando’s homecoming and first game in Cebu, defeating Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters, 94-79, on Friday to advance to the finals of the East Asia Super League at the Hoops Dome.
Warney hits 38 points
Jameel Warney showed why he is a three-time Korean Basketball League Foreign MVP by finishing with 38 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists to send the Knights to the Sunday's final while ousting the winners from last year’s EASL Champions Week.
Abando finished with 11 points, three rebounds and a block after seeing action for 20 minutes in the Red Boosters’ Final Four game even after he was initially listed as doubtful due to a back injury.
Anyang was still ahead, 26-23, in the first quarter but trailed by as many as 17 points in the contest that also saw the Red Boosters being badly outrebounded by the Knights, 44-27.
“We did our best in the game but it was not enough. They overpowered us in the rebounds. We are going to focus on the next game,” said Abando after the first semis game of the tournament backed by Philippine Airlines, Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort, Titktok as official partners and Anta, McDonald’s, and Spalding as product endorsers.
The next game for Anyang will be on Sunday in the battle for third where it will face the loser of the other semifinal match between Chiba Jets and New Taipei Kings.
Abando is 3-of-4 from the field
Abando shot 3-of-4 from the field including a three-pointer while also being perfect from the line with four charities to the delight of the Cebuano fans.
But Warney took command in the contest by scoring 23 points in the second half, while also getting support from Jaehyun Oh, who had 20 points on five three-pointers.
Bob Carter had 21 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while former Converge import Jamil Wilson had 14 points for Anyang.
The scores:
Seoul SK Knights 94 – Warney 38, Oh 20, An 13, Williams 9, Choi 5, Kim 3, Yaung 2, Song 2, Choi 2, Lee 0, Heo 0.
Anyang 79 – Carter 21, Wilson 14, Abando 11, Choi 11, Jeong 10, Park 8, Kim 2, Lee 2, Lee 0, Jung 0, Ko 0.
Quarters: 23-26; 45-40; 67-58; 94-79.
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