Hong Kong Eastern co-captain Stephen Chan Siu-wing has praised his team’s adaptability during their run to the Asean Basketball League title. The city’s only professional club beat Saigon Heat 73-60 at Nguyen Du Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City earlier this week to seal a 2-1 finals victory. Chan is one of only two players in the current side to have captured the ABL title twice, after Eastern won it during their first season in the competition in 2017. Backup forward Ben Wu Cheuk-pan was also in the squad. Playing his best game of the season in the decider, Chan clamped down on Saigon’s top scorer Evan Gilyard Jnr, limiting the American guard to just 23 points, after the 24-year-old erupted for 41 in Game 2 to level the series. “It was the final game for the championship, so I had to give everything,” Chan said. “I am happy and excited for us to win the champion again, and I am so glad I can contribute much more than our first title run a few years ago.” Chan, who started all but three games this season, was one of the regular starters alongside imports O’Darien Bassett, Tonny Trocha-Morelos and Chris McLaughlin. In their first title-winning season, Eastern were led by veteran guard Marcus Elliot. The then 32-year-old American was also named regular season and finals MVP. Chan said dealing with a compressed season this year, when they played 19 games in the space of just 72 days, was the “key difference” with the 2017 experience. Then, the Hong Kong franchise played 26 games over 150 days. “We got to adapt to the tight schedule, especially in those back-to-back situations,” he said. “We have to adjust constantly after each game to minimise our mistakes. “There were lots of ups and downs throughout the season, and the last one was a remarkable game for me and I hope to keep moving forward in this direction.” Chan added the championship would undoubtedly serve as a confidence boost for the team ahead of the new local season, details of which have yet to be announced by the Hong Kong Basketball Association. “This trophy shows what this group of players can accomplish when we worked hard as a team. We just have to believe in ourselves, and the ones next to us,” the 30-year-old said. With no concrete plans for the 2023 season, Eastern are giving the players two weeks off before the team regroups for practice again at the end of the month.