Anyang Jung Kwan Jang secured its spot in the 2023-24 East Asia Super League semifinals, extinguishing TNT’s hopes and silencing the home crowd at the Philsports Arena with a 76-88 victory on Wednesday.
The Tropang Giga concluded their run in the regional league for champions with a 1-5 record, marking another disappointing finish for last season’s PBA Governors’ Cup champions. They also had a 0-2 record in last year’s ‘Champions Week’ tournament in Okinawa.
Meanwhile, the Red Boosters improved to 3-2, eliminating P.League+’s Taipei Fubon from contention.
It was a dominant performance by the KBL representatives, taking an early 20-9 lead and maintaining control throughout the game.
Anyang JKJ showcased their dominance by sinking 15 triples in the contest and shooting 53 percent from the field. The visitors also outrebounded TNT, securing a 42-31 advantage.
Although TNT managed to narrow the lead to five at 78-73 with 3:37 remaining, Choi Seongwon dashed any hopes of a comeback by hitting a clutch three-pointer. Park Jihoon and Jamil Wilson then added the finishing touches.
Choi led Anyang with 23 points, going 7-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Robert Carter played the entire 40 minutes, contributing 22 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, while Wilson and Park added 15 points each.
TNT relied on a two-man show, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson producing 33 points and seven rebounds, and his brother Rahlir contributing 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Calvin Oftana and Jayson Castro were absent from the game, and Roger Pogoy only logged 20 minutes.
Josh Reyes called the shots for TNT.
The Scores:
Anyang Jung Kwan Jang 88 – Choi 23, Carter 22, Wilson 15, Park 15, Bae 11, Jung 2, Ko 0.
TNT 76 – Hollis-Jefferson Ro. 33, Hollis-Jefferson Ra. 20, Reyes 6, Khobuntin 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Pogoy 2, Montalbo 2, Ponferada 2, Heruela 2, Aurin 0, Tungcab 0.
Quarterscores: 34-19, 53-41, 71-61, 88-76.
