The Saigon Heat’s latest pick-up delivers
Filipino-American guard Michael Williams wasted no time proving his worth, helping the Heat welcome 2018 with a bang by sending down a retooled Formosa Dreamers, 99-85, Saturday at Changsha Stadium in Taiwan.
The win means Saigon improves its record to an even 2-2 slate, while the Dreamers went down to a league-worst 1-5.
The debuting 6-foot-2 Heritage Import was among the four double-digit scorers for the Vietnamese club team, scattering 19 points on 41 percent shooting. The former NBA G-Leaguer also collected six rebounds and four assists.
But aside from Williams, another debuting import, Maxie Esho, also had quite an opener. He and fellow World Import Moses Morgan led the Heat with 27 markers each and combined for 26 of the Heat’s 45 rebounds.
On the other hand, the Dreamers’ loss spoiled the debut of new World Import Reggie Okosa. After being released by Tanduay Alab Pilipinas to replace Jaleel Cousins, Okosa had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Formosa.
Local Sung Wei Wu led Formosa with 21 points, while Saigon’s former World Import Lenny Daniel had 17 markers.
The loss added more woes to Formosa. The neophyte club has just lost Fil-Am Heritage Import James Forrester for the rest of the season due to a torn Achilles tendon, which needs six to eight months to heal.
Saturday’s Formosa-Saigon match that featured Williams’ arrival can be considered monumental, as all nine club teams have tapped at least one Filipino export.
