MBA All-Stars tame Taiwan Lions, 80-75

TAIPEI — Already out of the running, the MBA All-Stars salvaged some measure of pride by taming the professional ballclub SINA Lions of the Chinese Basketball Alliance (CBA) Sunday night, 80-75, at the Taipei Physical Education College Gym.

The victory enabled the Filipinos to level their record at 3-3 heading into their final assignment against the Japan Basketball League (JBL) Selection Monday evening. A win over the Japanese will give the Filipinos a good chance of taking home the bronze medal.

The Philippines, also represented by the Laguna Lakers of the MBA, placed fourth in the last two stagings of the event.

Eddie Laure of the LBC Batangas Blades, the reigning MVP in the MBA, led the Filipino surge with 18 points. Romel Adducul of the Osaka Pangasinan Waves and Peter June Simon of the Professional Davao Eagles backed him up with 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The Lions competed in the Taiwanese pro league before deciding to bring their act to the mainland. They carry on their roster several former Chinese-Taipei national players led by prolific guard Lo Shin Liang.