China Regal, Hanwei move into ABC final

02/05/1998

CHINA Regal of Hong Kong were sharp and neat in their setpieces to beat
Korea's Hyundai Dynat 77-63 to make the final of the Asian Basketball
Confederation (ABC) Championship at Stadium Negara yesterday.
In the other semifinal, China Hanwei beat Lebanon Al-Riadi 85-80.
Defending champions China Regal didn't allow Hyundai a ghost of a
chance. Everytime Hyundai tried to stage a fightback, Regal shut them out
quickly.
Only the first five minutes was a close match with Hyundai Dynat's Jay
Webb doing much of the damage but China Regal, with Wayman Strickland and
John Spencer in top form, pulled away 15-10.
"I knew victory was ours 10 minutes into the second half. Our target of
winning the title is now within our reach," said China Regal coach Cheung
Tai Wing.
Hundai Dynat, who beat Petronas to make the semifinals, refused to
concede defeat so early, even though Webb was rested when he started
limping, and matched China Regal point-for-point.
Ng Chu Yip of China Regal surprised the crowd when he sank a three-
pointer almost from centre court and when Yung Kam Wah sank more baskets
to pull away 21-11, Hundai Dynat were in trouble.
China Regal showed why they are the favourites for the crown when they
displayed perfect teamwork to pull away 31-17 10 minutes into the first
half.
Liang Kwun Fan got into the three-points act, coupled with neat slam
dunks by Strickland and China Regal took a commanding 47-29 lead into the
second half.
When play resumed, the match was again a one-sided affair and eight
minutes into the game, Regal opened up a 25 point lead and looked
unbeatable.
In the fight for seventh placing, Uzbekistan MHSK made a tremendous
fightback to beat Beeper 150 of the Philippines 88-84.
In another match, PanAsia beat Bangkok Club 72-68 after extra time to
finish second from the bottom.
Bangkok Club finished at the bottom, losing all their group matches.
Petronas meet Toshiba Red Thunders today in the fifth placing at 5.30pm.
The final will be held at 9.0pm.
RESULTS: Uzbekistan MHSK 88 Beeper 150 84; Bangkok Club 68 PanAsia 72;
China Regal 77 Hyundai Dynat 63; China Hanwei 54 Lebanon Al-Riadi 41.
TODAY - 5th placing: Petronas v Toshiba Red Thunders (5.30).
3rd placing: Hyundai Dynat v Lebanon Al-Riadi (7.0).
Final: China Hanwei v China Regal (9.0).
(END)