MACAO - Sina Vahedi's stint with the New Taipei Kings proved to be short-lived.
The talented guard of Iran went down with an injury early in the EASL quarterfinals between the Kings and Utsunomita Brex Wednesday night at the Tap Seac Multi-Sports Pavilion.
Utsunomiya was quick to take advantage of Vahedi's exit, erasing an 11-point first quarter lead to take an 85-64 win and claim the last semifinals slot at stake in the tournament.
READ: After Meralco stint, Sina Vahedi finds home with New Taipei Kings
Vahedi, who suited up for Meralco in the EASL group stage earlier, was part of the Kings' starting unit and played nine minutes and finished with four points before suffering the non-contact injury.
He was immediately brought to the hospital, and everything crumbled for New Taipei after that.
"Sina is still in the hospital and we don't know yet what kind of injury he sustained," said New Taipei Kings coach Chih-Shan Hung.
Veteran import Jason Washburn gave Vahedi his flowers, calling the Iranian player 'a very good kid.'
"He's only here with us for two weeks. But in that two weeks, we've got to know him very well. He's a hell of a kid. And he's got a very bright future career ahead of him," said the 35-year-old Washburn.
After Vahedi's exit, Utsunomiya outscored New Taipei in the second period, 36-14, to take a 48-37 lead at the break.
Jerrett Grant submitted double-double numbers of 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead Utsunomiya, which tangles with seeded team Ryukyu Golden Kings in the semis.
New Taipei got 18 points from Jarren Cole Harris, while Washburn finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Kings failed to replicate their semifinals stint from last season.
The scores
Utsunomiya 89 - Grant 27, Newbill 20, Edwards 7, Hejima 7, Takashima 6, Endo 6, Takeuchi 5, Ogawa 4, Watanabe 3, Tabuse 0, Aoki 0, Karuga 0.
New Taipei 69 - Harris 18, Washburn 14, Lee 9, Davis 5, Vahedi 4, Lin 4, Lin YT 4, Hsung 2, Wang 2, Su 2, Lin CP, Chen 0.
Quarters: 12-23; 48-37; 67-50; 89-69.
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