BASKETBALL/Pilots win spot in EASL semifinals

Taipei, Feb. 6 (CNA) The Taoyuan Pauian Pilots have left their mark in the team's East Asia Super League (EASL) debut season by securing a spot in the league's Final Four after a convincing win in a do-or-die game on Wednesday.

The P.LEAGUE (PLG) leaders dominated Hong Kong Eastern with a score of 87-61 in front of over 5,000 fans at home, led by reigning PLG MVP Lu Chun-hsiang (盧峻翔), who scored a game-high 33 points.

Lu went off early in the game, sinking three three-pointers to contribute 11 of the Pilots' first 14 points while Hong Kong Eastern struggled to find their rhythm.

"I felt I needed to work on my three-point shooting before the Lunar New Year, so I kept training regularly during the holidays," said Lu, who finished with five shots from the deep.

Both teams had been tied second in Group A at 3-2 records, making Wednesday's game crucial for determining who would get a spot in the semifinals alongside Japan's B.LEAGUE Hiroshima Dragonflies.

Hong Kong Eastern had a tough night, trailing by double digits for most of the game. They managed to narrow the margin to 45-29 at halftime after an embarrassing 32-7 first quarter, however the Pilots maintained a comfortable lead of around 20 points throughout the second half.

Lu acknowledged that the Pilots controlled the game well but emphasized the need to stay focused as they prepare to face stronger opponents in Macao in the next round.

In addition to Lu's performance, Trevon Graham logged 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Alec Brown added 13 points.

Glen Yang (楊和), who led the Hong Kong team with 16 points, praised the overall progress of the Pilots, particularly highlighting Lu's elevated gameplay.

Yang previously played 11 games for the Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers (now Kaohsiung Steelers) in the 2023-24 PLG season, averaging 7.2 points.

According to EASL regulations, Taoyuan will play Group B's top finisher, the Ryukyu Golden Kings of the B.LEAGUE, in the EASL Final Four scheduled for March 7-9. The Dragonflies will take on the second finisher from Group A.

The New Taipei Kings, formerly in the PLG but now competing in the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL), will vie for the final Group B slot on Feb. 12 against the Meralco Bolts from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

If the Kings advance, it would be the first time that two Taiwanese teams have made it to the EASL semifinals.