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Mike Chan

Hong Kong Eastern battled back from a slow start in Game 1 of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) play-offs finals at Nguyen Du Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday night to put one hand on the trophy.
An 89-73 win over Saigon Heat – who are making their first appearance in the finals – gave Eastern the edge in the best-of-three series.
Oliver Xu – who was one of five Eastern players scoring in double digits – got some big minutes off the bench.
“I just came in focusing on defence, and trying to get us into our sets,” the backup point guard said.
“Guarding [Evan] Gilyard [Jnr] was a big defensive assignment but overall we played good team defence and I think that was what got us going.
“We got one more game [on Sunday] and we are locked in for that. I am going to watch some films and see what I could have done better, and get my body recovered as it is important because it is back-to-back games.”

Despite having one more rest day than the home team after this week’s semi-finals, Eastern, who finished the regular season with a 10-4 record, found themselves trailing early on.
American guard Gilyard knocked down a three-pointer – one of four long-range baskets for the home team – to give the Heat a nine-point lead late in the first quarter.
“We knew they would come out hot and with a lot of energy, which is what they did,” Dominic Gilbert said. “So we knew that we were just going to have to ride that out and play composed.”
How a Hongkonger made Seattle Storm highlights reel in basketball’s WNBA
The 2017 champions, who were stopped in the 2019 and 2019 semi-finals, came out strong in the second quarter.
A 13-7 run – in which Croatian-Australian forward Gilbert contributed six points – saw Eastern tying the game at 27-27 with five minutes to go before halftime.
“We started to get more stops on defence and easy baskets,” Gilbert – who finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists – said. “That allowed us to come back in the game.”
Playing in their second ABL final, Eastern had another strong quarter after the restart.

Trailing 54-53 after yet another Gilyard three-pointer, the regular season second-placed team responded with a 14-0 run, highlighted by O’Darien Bassett’s seven points.
A 13-point advantage heading into the final quarter would grow to a 24-point lead for Eastern before the visitors settled for a comfortable 16-point win.
Gilbert, who played over 38 minutes alongside Bassett, believed the extra rest day “differentiated” the two teams.
“The Heat played three tough, tightly contested games against Singapore Slingers with one going to overtime and it probably took a lot out of them,” the 26-year-old said.
“Thankfully we got an extra day of rest but it does not have to mean anything, they are going to be playing for their season on Sunday so they will come out with a tonne of energy.”

For the third straight game in the play-offs, Eastern kept their turnover numbers to a single digit.
The Hong Kong franchise also out-rebounded the host and scored 50 points in the paint, compared to just 26 by the Heat.
With Saturday’s win, Eastern are only one win away from clinching their second ABL championship in franchise history.
Game 2 will be played at the same 2,100-seater arena on Sunday, with the decider – if necessary – set for next Tuesday.


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FIBA (International Basketball Federation)

Asean Basketball League finals: Hong Kong Eastern storm back to put one hand on the trophy

Dominic Gilbert had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in Eastern’s 89-73 win over the Saigon Heat in Game 1 of the ABL play-offs finals. Photos: Handout

Oliver Xu came off the bench to finish with 10 points and 4 rebounds.

O’Darien Bassett finished with 22 points.

Chris McLaughlin finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds on Saturday night.

Asean Basketball League: Hong Kong Eastern battle into play-offs final, await opponents

Hong Kong Eastern celebrated clinching a berth at the Asean Basketball League play-offs final. Photo: Hong Kong Eastern

Croatian-Australian forward Dominic Gilbert netted 17 of his team-high 26 points in the second half against NS Matrix. Photo: Hong Kong Eastern

Chris McLaughlin made his presence felt inside the paint finishing with 21 points and 20 rebounds. Photo: Hong Kong Eastern

Stephen Chan Siu-wing was part of the 2017 title-winning team for Eastern. Photo: Hong Kong Eastern

Asean Basketball League: Hong Kong Eastern look to close out series against NS Matrix for play-offs final spot

Chris McLaughlin in action for Hong Kong Eastern against NS Matrix. Photos: Handout

O’Darien Bassett led all scorers for Eastern with 17 points

Colombian international Tonny Trocha-Moreles contributed 14 points and seven boards.

Chris McLaughlin chipped in 16 points to go with 16 rebounds.

Asean Basketball League: Eastern’s Chan Siu-wing relishing face off with NBA champ Mario Chalmers

Stephen Chan Siu-wing in action. Photos: Handout

Eastern’s Oliver Xu goes to the basket.

 Eastern’s Tonny Trocha-Morelos in action.

Asean Basketball League: Hong Kong’s Eastern hope belief ‘defence wins championships’ rings true

Eastern’s Dominic Gilbert goes for the easy layup. Photo: Handout

Eastern’s Chris McLaughlin had one of his six double-doubles in the 81-75 win over Macau Black Bears. Photo: Handout

Eastern coach Zeljko Pavlicevic has highlighted the defensive contribution made by captain Adam Xu. Photo: Handout 

Xu brothers reunited as Eastern revamp line-up ahead of new Asean Basketball League season

Oliver Xu (left) joins his brother Adam Xu at Eastern this season. Photos: Handout

The Xu brothers – Adam (left) and Oliver – will play together at a professional team for the first time in their careers.

Oliver Xu in action.

Eastern team captain Adam Xu.

Sport

Basketball

Hong Kong

Eastern trailed Saigon Heat by nine points after a sluggish start, before securing a comfortable 89-73 win
The 2017 champions need just one more win to clinch second title, with Game 2 set for Sunday in Ho Chi Minh City


Hong Kong Eastern just one win away from Asean Basketball League title after dominant Game 1 win over Saigon Heat.
