BASKETBALL / Dreamers fend off Mars to tie for third in TPBL as Julian Boyd returns

Taipei, Dec. 27 (CNA) The Formosa Dreamers defeated the Taipei Taishin Mars 108-98 in Taichung on Saturday, moving into joint third place in the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL) in a game that marked the return of veteran import Julian Boyd.

With the win, the Dreamers improved to a 7-7 record, bringing their winning percentage back to .500 and moving to 2-0 against the Mars this season. The Mars now sit at 6-6.

Both teams remain 0.5 games behind the second-place New Taipei CTBC DEA and three games behind the league-leading Taoyuan Taiwan Beer Leopards.

The Dreamers established their largest lead in the second quarter when Aric Holman drained a three-pointer to make it 52-31. However, the Mars showed resilience, mounting a 17-5 run to close the first half trailing 57-48.

The Dreamers eventually secured the victory behind a balanced attack, with six players scoring in double figures -- evenly split between domestic and imported talent. Although the Mars had four players score at least 10 points, only one was a domestic Taiwanese player.

"Team basketball -- that's how you play as a team," said Julian Boyd, who contributed 12 points in his season debut. He credited the team's ball movement and their ability to stay resilient despite the Mars' late-half push.

Boyd was particularly effective in the final period, scoring seven points in the fourth quarter. Commentator Ma Yi-hung (馬怡鴻) noted Boyd's impact, praising his ability to remain a constant threat in the paint even when he didn't have the ball.

Now 35, the American forward is a familiar face to Dreamers fans, having played for the franchise during the 2021-22 and 2023-24 P.LEAGUE+ seasons. During the 2024 offseason, Boyd expressed his desire to be naturalized to represent the Taiwan national team, calling the country his "second home."

The Dreamers officially announced Boyd's return on Dec. 16.

Calling his return to Taichung "back to home," Boyd said, "It's the best place; this is the best arena. This is where I started my career in Taiwan, and it's where I want to finish it."

The Dreamers are set to host the CTBC DEA at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in their last game of the year.