P. LEAGUE+ & T1 LEAGUE/Nick King shoots lights out in T1 LEAGUE debut for New Taipei

Taipei, Feb. 4 (CNA) Former San Miguel Alab Pilipinas world import player Nick King shot the lights out in his T1 LEAGUE debut, coming off the bench to drop 41 points, steering the visiting New Taipei CTBC DEA to a 110-100 victory against the Taichung Suns.

The 2.03-meter-tall, 27-year-old American, who played for the Filipino basketball team in the ASEAN Basketball League's 2019-2020 season, posted a total of 41 points -- 31 coming from the opening half -- to go along with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

At the post-game press interview, King said it was his first game in the T1 LEAGUE and he is still working on his chemistry with his new team, but credits his teammates, who hit the hardwood with energy and found him in open spots.

King shot 14-24 from the floor, including 5-8 from beyond the arc, and 8-9 from the charity stripe.

When asked how he felt playing in Taiwan, King said he was excited and wanted to play hard to help the DEA win the championship.

"I love playing in Asia, I love the Asian countries and I think Taiwanese people are great. They are so nice and welcoming and I'm so happy to be here," King remarked.

King, also known as "Simba," played in the NBA G League, the NBA's official minor league basketball organization, for the Maine Celtics (formerly the Maine Red Claws) in 2018-2019 and the Windy City Bulls in 2022-2023 before the DEA announced his signing on Jan. 30.

During the game, played at National Taiwan University of Sport's gymnasium, the DEA took a 32-29 advantage at the end of the first quarter before extending the lead to double-digits 65-51 at half time.

After the break, the Suns were unable to make critical buckets to cut down the deficit but was holding on to not allow the DEA to make an explosive escape, ending the third quarter 89-76.

The DEA protected their lead by keeping themselves in front of the Suns by double digits to pocket their 11th win of the season 110-100.

With the win, the DEA are at the top of the six-team league standings with a 11-4 record, while the Suns are fifth and 5 games behind with a 5-8 card.

Aquas top HeroBears

In the T1 LEAGUE on Saturday, the defending champion Kaohsiung Aquas topped the Taipei-based TaiwanBeer HeroBears 122-117 during a game that went into overtime.

The Aquas are now second in the league standings with a 10-5 record and one game back of the DEA, while the HeroBears are fourth with 7-7 and 3.5 games behind the DEA.

Braves edge Kings

Meanwhile, in Taiwan's other professional basketball league, P. LEAGUE+, the Taipei Fubon Braves continued to show their dominance by pocketing their third consecutive win after they edged the New Taipei Kings 111-109 at Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium.

The Braves are third in the six-team league standings with a 10-8 record and are three games back of the Kings, which are at the top with a 13-5 card.

Dreamers outhustle Steelers

Just a day earlier on Friday in the P. LEAGUE+, the Formosa Taishin Dreamers outhustled the Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers 106-101.

Dreamers forward Sir'Dominic Pointer dropped an impressive double-double of 34 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks.