Hong Kong Eastern made quite an introduction following a 102-87 rout of Phoenix for a rousing PBA debut, Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The guest team seized control in the third quarter before breaking the game wide open in the final canto, big thanks to the trio of Cam Clark, Hayden Blankley, and Glen Yang and their experience in the league as a collective.
Now they’ve joined Converge as the early winners of the newly-opened Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, making their meeting on November 29 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium all the more interesting as it would be for the early lead.
And head coach Mensur Bajramovic hopes, too, that they’d perform better against the FiberXers after seeing how they played against the Fuel Masters.
“That was the biggest concern: we didn’t play enough games together. In some moments it’s obvious,” offered the Bosnian bench tactician.
“We missed timing, we missed some situations on defense and everything. But I also want to congratulate my players. I hope we will be better each game.”
Clark led Eastern with 25 points, 23 of which he made in the first three quarters, and 11 rebounds, which he laced with two steals and two blocks.
Blankley finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, and five assists as he found yet another opportunity to play in Manila. Yang had an 11-6-7 stat line.
Chan Siu Wing supplied 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting as a total of 10 players chipped in at least three points in the double-digit victory.
“It took us like a half to adjust,” said Blankley, who earned Player of the Game honors. “You know, like what everyone talks about, it’s the PBA physicality, the slight difference in rules, and I think the emotions were flying.”
Phoenix, on the other hand, was led by import Donovan Smith with 33 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Jason Perkins produced 22 points and five rebounds, while Ricci Rivero added 10 markers on nine attempts.
Coach Jamike Jarin’s wards actually imposed a threat during the second quarter and cut the gap to only four, 45-49, entering the break, but couldn’t keep it going as the visiting side raced to a big lead in the third, never to let up.
The Fuel Masters are set to play on Saturday as well as they will serve as the welcoming committee of the debuting Meralco at 5:00 p.m.
The Scores:
Eastern 102 – Clark 25, Blankley 18, Yang 13, Cheung 11, Lam 8, Cao 8, Xu 8, Guinchard 5, Leung 3, Chan 3, Sulaiman 0, Pok 0.
Phoenix 87 – Smith 33, Perkins 22, Rivero 10, Alejandro 8, Tuffin 4, Garcia 3, Ballungay 2, Manganti 2, Tio 2, Jazul 1, Camacho 0, Daves 0, Ular 0, Muyang 0, Verano 0.
Quarterscores: 23-14, 49-45, 77-65, 102-87.
