TNT’S semifinals hopes in the East Asia Super League Home and Away Season came to a screeching halt, courtesy of reigning Korean Basketball League champion Anyang Jung Kwan Jang last Wednesday night.
Riding the hot hands of Seongwon Choi, the Red Boosters sent the Tropang Giga packing with an 88-76 victory at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
With Anyang’s prized Filipino forward Rhenz Abando watching from the sidelines due to a back injury, the Red Boosters proved too much for the home side.
“It’s exciting, so exciting. “We’re ready to get out there and put on a show for the EASL and the EASL fans,” Anyang import Robert Carter, who nearly wound up with a triple-double with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, said. “We just want to make this league something special and I think we can really do it, to put on a show and try to win it all.”
Choi went impeccable from deep with a 7-of-7 clip to finish with a team-high 23 markers on 8-of-10 shooting as the Red Boosters pounded the Tropang early on and never looked back.
Anyang rolled to its third win in five outings to clinch the second and last semifinals berth in Group A.
Undefeated Chiba Jets earlier bagged the first semis slot in the group with a perfect 6-0 mark.
Anyang’s other import, Jamil Wilson, had 15 points and 14 rebounds.
TNT trailed by as many as 24 before Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, finally back in harness for the team after recovering from a neck injury, tried to rally the Tropang Giga, to no avail.
The former NBA player had an all-around game of 33 points, seven boards, and seven assists for TNT, which finished its campaign with a 1-5 record.
Rondae’s brother Rahlir added 20 points and 12 rebounds as the Hollis-Jefferson brothers scored 53 out of the total outing of the Tropang Giga.
Ryan Reyes finished with six as no local players submitted double figures in scoring for TNT.
