Zhou Qi steps up yet again for SEM Phoenix, despite ‘heartbreaking loss’ to Melbourne United
- South East Melbourne suffered another tough loss despite a brilliant throwdown clash with Melbourne United
- ‘King Qi’ scored the first six points of the game for Phoenix and reached double figures before the end of the first quarter
It’s been a tough few weeks for South East Melbourne Phoenix, but star recruit Zhou Qi has stepped up yet again.
The NBL rookie star was last night given Play of the Game yet again, with 17 points and 7 rebounds as SEM narrowly lost out to Melbourne rivals United.
The Phoenix threw everything at United but fell at the final hurdle after failing to hold on to a double-digit lead, going down 90-88.
“King Qi” as he is called by Phoenix teammate Mitch Creek came out like a man on a mission, scoring the first six points of the game for Phoenix and reaching double figures before the end of the first quarter with a variety of dunks, lay-ups and low post moves that would have made Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon proud.
But the Phoenix turned it over three times in the first two and a half minutes and that was the difference at the first break as United led 29-24.