BASKETBALL/Pilots clinch franchise's first PLG championship

Taipei, May 22 (CNA) The Taoyuan Pauian Pilots clinched their first-ever P.LEAGUE+ (PLG) title on Wednesday, overcoming the Taipei Fubon Braves in a thrilling seven-game series.

With a season-high online viewership of over 110,000 and a sellout crowd of 5,900 in attendance, the Pilots edged out the Braves 89-86 at Taoyuan Arena in a nail-biting finish. The Finals MVP (FMVP) went to Pilots star Lu Chun-hsiang (盧峻翔), who scored 20 points to tie teammate Alec Brown for the game high.

The Pilots' win made them the third team to win the PLG title in the league's five-year history, following the Braves' three-peat from 2021 to 2023 and the New Taipei Kings' triumph in 2024.

It was also the Pilots' first professional championship, following runner-up finishes in last year's finals and the East Asia Super League (EASL) final in March. For the 27-year-old Lu, it was the first title of his career.

"Now I just want to take a champagne shower," said Lu, a two-time PLG regular-season MVP. He said he hadn't expected to win the FMVP because the victory was a collective team effort.

The game remained close throughout, with the margin mostly within single digits.

The Braves briefly extended the lead to 10 points in the third quarter, but the Pilots overhauled with a 24-13 fourth quarter as Braves center Brandon Walters fouled out and veteran Lin Chih-chieh (林志傑) suffered a wrist injury.

Lin, 42, was injured while attempting to chase down Lu's fast-break layup with 4 minutes and 40 seconds left.

He fell hard to the floor as Lu made the shot, drew a foul, and shouted from the ground before sinking the free throw to put the Pilots ahead 84-82.

Broadcaster Tsai Ching-ching (蔡晴景) described the moment as a "generational transition scenario," highlighting the symbolic shift between basketball eras.

That play saw Lin carried off the court and not return afterward.

The Braves later confirmed that Lin underwent successful arthroscopic surgery early Thursday morning at Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery in two months.

After the game, Pilots guard Li Chia-kang (李家慷) shed tears of joy after overcoming a challenging four-year journey that included limited playing time earlier in his career.

Li, who earned four awards -- including Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player -- this season, thanked team owner Lee Chung-shu (李忠恕) for believing in him. He said he hoped making the All-Defensive First Team would inspire players who may not excel in scoring.

Meanwhile, PLG Vice Chairperson Charles Chen (陳建州) made a rare public gesture following the game by encouraging fans to also support the upcoming playoffs of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL), Taiwan's other pro league, which tips off Friday.

Lamenting that "Taiwanese society has long been divided," Chen called basketball a "remedy that could heal the wound" and said he hoped the TPBL could carry forward the momentum generated by the PLG.

"If we want Taiwanese society to be united, we should start with sports," he said.

"As for other issues - like whether the two leagues should cooperate or even merge - we have the whole summer to talk about that. It'll take time."