Coming off a controversial loss to Taiwan Beer last Saturday, Jordan Heading and Taichung Wagor bounced back, trouncing New Taipei, 109-99, in the 2021-22 T1 League season, Saturday at National Taiwan University of Sport Gymnasium.
Down 86-85 early in the final frame, a Ting Shengju triple triggered a 10-2 spurt for the Suns to gain control of the game.
Though Aaron Epps was able to cut the lead down to four with 5:17 left, Heading found a wide-open Ting for another trey to spark a 13-5 finishing kick to seal the Suns’ 16th win in 27 games.
With the win, Taichung not only took its fourth win against New Taipei, but also kept its top seed hopes alive. The Suns can no longer afford to lose any of their last four games and hope that Kaohsiung loses one of its remaining games to steal the top spot entering the playoffs.
Sani Sakakini led Taichung with 25 points and 13 rebounds while Ting fired five triples for 20 points. Heading, meanwhile, tallied 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Anthony Tucker also produced a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists to go along with nine rebounds while Chen Chinghuan added 11 markers.
New Taipei, who fell to 14-12, was led by Lin Pingsheng with 28 points on seven triples. Epps got 27 points and 13 rebounds while Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga and Lin Weihan finished with 11 points and 12 assists, respectively.
Filipino-American Avery Scharer was limited to just four points, four rebounds, and four assists in the contest.
Up next for Heading and Taichung is Tainan tomorrow while Scharer and New Taipei will next face Taoyuan on the 24th.
Meanwhile, Nino Canaleta has also arrived in Taichung last Friday. The 40-year-old winger did some shootarounds with the team earlier in the day.
Photo by Taichung Wagor Suns
Photo by Taichung Wagor Suns
