Remember Taane Samuel? Well, he currently plays in the New Zealand-National Basketball League.
The former De La Salle Green Archer proved too much for Ken Tuffin and Taranaki, lifting Manawatu to a 102-93 triumph in the 2020 Sal’s NBL Showdown at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, Sunday.
Samuel, the 26th overall pick in the draft, scattered 24 points, 11 rebounds, two assists.
The 6-foot-8 Kiwi spearheaded the Jets’ 16-0 third quarter run that turned a tie into an imposing 84-68 lead.
Tuffin, on the other hand, played his worst game, finishing with just four points to go along with five rebounds.
Fellow Tamaraw Joseph Nunag made his debut for the Mountainairs, grabbing a board. Enderun’s Francis Mulvihill had 14 markers.
Manawatu and Taranaki are now tied in the standings with identical 3-3 slates. The Mountainairs suffered their third loss in four outings.
