Wednesday, December 29, 1999

Millennium Series will tipoff on January 1, 2000

Latest Import Situation--
Hong-kuo:Rex Manu
Mars:Brian Reese
Yulon:Emmett Hall
Hong-fu: Signed 6-2 Mike Elliot, who previously played with Yulon in 97-98. Johnny Rhodes didn't report to the team.
Luckipar:Mario Lucas(Could be replaced)
Dacin:Von Bennett

Tuesday, December 21, 1999

Imports Set in Millennium Series

Import players of all CBA teams in the upcoming "Millennium Series" is all set. As expected, Hong-kuo brought back its former player Rex Manu but failed to re-sign Joe Temple. Mars signed 6-5 highflying Brian Reese, who played with Yulon in 97-98. Yulon failed to sign former Dacin Tiger Mark Atkins, who's playing in IBA right now. Instead, they brought back yet another former Dino, 6-5 Emmett Hall(South Carolina). 6-3 Johnny Rhodes is also back with his former team, Hong-fu Rams, while 6-8 Von Bennett reunited with Dacin Tigers once again. Luckipar Panthers signed 6-8 Mario Lucas(Maryland), who last played in China.

CBA teams submitted their rosters to the league office last Saturday. What's strange is they sign many players from universities and loan players from A-League. Plus, the tournament plays international rules. All in all, this really does not look like a PRO GAME. In the meantime, almost 90% of the college players also play with A-League teams. That, once again, tells you why local observers are not optmistic about the league's re-structure and how chaotic Taiwanese basketball scene is.

Complete Team Rosters in MILLENNIUM SERIES
(Name, Height, Notes)

HONG-KUO ELEPHANTS
Chou Jun-San 175
Chang Chi-How 188
Liu Yi-Shan 200
Chiu Ter-Chih 190
Lo Shin-Liang 182
Huang Chun-Shiung 200
Chang Ya-Tang 190
Soong Jay 190
Chou Jun-Shiung 175
Rex Manu 203 Import
O-Yang Jin-Hung 190 College player
Yang Shih-How 190 College player
Lee Bo-Lun 190 College player
Lee Fung-Yun 198 Loan from A-League
Lo Cheng-Kun 197 Loan from A-League
Headcoach:Chiu Da-Zong

KAOSHIUNG MARS
Matt Bryant 190 Will play as local player
Yen Hsin-Shu 182
Chou Hai-Jung 190
Wang Li-Bin 200
Lin Jeng-Da 193
Cheng Tser-Ming 200
San Mao-Sun 193
Huang Kuan-Lun 193
Lee Chi-Yi 197
Brian Reese 195 Import
Soong Tao 209 Signed from Yulon
Lin Kao-Shiung 182 Signed from Dacin
Headcoach:Chun Chi-Mun

YULON DINOS
Kuo Tien-Lung 185
Chou Hung-Yu 195
Lin Jiang-Ping 170
Tsai Fu-Tsai 188
Chiu Zong-Chih 197
Dong-Fang Che-Ter 190
Lee Yung-Kuang 175
Wu Chih-Wei 200
Emmett Hall 195 Import
Chiu Chih-Yi 180
Chen Hsin-An 194
Wei Yung-Tai 193 Loan from A-League
Huang Cheng-Jin 190 Loan from A-League
Huang Bao-Tse 182 College player
Lin Ming-Sian 184 College player
Chien Wei-Cheng 178 College player
Shi Wei-Guang -- College player
Headcoach:Chien Yi-Fei

LUCKIPAR PANTHERS
Chen Chi-Chun 182
Yang Chi-How 175
Hung Chan-Chin 190
Hsu Yung-Yi 190
Sun Kuo-Chan 196
Lai Kuo-Hung 197
Lin Shin-Hua 198
Mario Lucas 203 Import
Chang Chi-Fung 182 Loan from A-League
Yang Yu-Min 182 Loan from A-League
Wu Cheng-Dao -- College player
Wang Han-Chian -- College player
Chun Shiao-Tse 193 Loan from A-League
Headcoach:Jack Mai

HONG-FU RAMS
Chu Chih-Chin 198
Lee Yung-Shian 190
Wu Shian-Cheng 188
Shiung Jen-Chun 190
Ma Chao-Min 180
Ker Chian-Tse 190
Chen Wen-Zong 188
Johnny Rhodes 193 Import
Shan Wei-Fang 195 College player
Lin Tser-Wei 197 College player
Liao Wei-Chen 195 Loan from A-League
Lan Chih-Min 185 Signed from Luckipar
Headcoach:Hu Tsai-Lin

DACIN TIGERS
Hung Yi-Chun 185
Yang Yi-Fung 188
Chen Jian-Hun 190
Chen Shun-Lung 188
Von Bennett 203 Import
Huang Chi-Tsai -- College player
Huang Fong-Min 190 College player
Lo Da-Wei -- College player
Ju Yung-Hong -- College player
Chou Ben-Tang -- College player
Wang Yi-Jen 195 College player
Lin Jia-Shen 190 Loan from A-League
Chen Jun-Jay 182 Signed from Yulon
Lin Yu-Shu 193 Signed from Hong-fu
Headcoach:Cheng Kong-Hee

Thursday, December 16, 1999

CBA WILL USE COLLEGE PLAYERS IN MILLENNIUM SERIES

CBA teams will bring in college players in the upcoming Millennium Series because most of the teams are short of players, the league announced yesterday. Also the league limit the import player height to 6-8, while only one is allowed to play in each game.

All teams must submit their roster, imports included, before Saturday. The series will play under FIBA rules, which means four 12-minute quarters, three refs, and any type of defense is allowed.

On import news, defending champion Hong-kuo will resign its former import 6-3 Joe Temple(San Diego) and 6-8 Rex Manu(Pepperdine) and Mars is said close to sign former Yulon import 6-5 Brian Reese(UNC).Yulon tried to bring in former Dacin player Mark Atkins(6-4, Missouri), who's playing in IBA's Magic City Snowbears right now. Hong-fu will probably sign 6-4 Johnny Rhodes(Maryland), who's voted 1997-98 CBA Import of the Year. Luckipar is contacting 6-6 Erik Martin(Cincinnati), who also played for Luckipar prior to the league's suspension. 6-8 Von Bennett(Oklahoma State) will reunited with his Dacin teammate.

Virtually every team tried to bring back its original import. From the standpoint of both fan familiarity and team chemistry, bringing back old import is good for the team, they assumed. However, all teams' import situation are not set except for Hong-kuo. Teams will probably keep more than just one player and bring in more imports.

Wednesday, December 15, 1999

CBA LAUNCH MILLENNIUM SERIES IN JANUARY

In the middle of its re-structure period, the CBA manages to schedule an short experimental season to test the market and keep local basketball rolling. Yesterday (December 14) the league officially named the short season "The Millennium Series" and released its 38-game schedule. The opening game will tipoff on January 1, 2000, with three-time champion Hongkuo Elephants visiting Yulon Dinos.

The series applies a double-round robin format with each team playing all other opponents twice, which means each team will play 10 games in the preliminary round. The top four teams advance to the crossover best-of-three semifinals. The winners will meet in the best-of-five Finals. All games will be played in Taipei Physical Education College Gymnasium(main venue) in Taipei and Taipei County Gymnasium in Panchiao.

Only one import player is allowed to play in any single game. However, teams can keep as many as they want. As far as I know, Hongkuo has brought back Joe Temple and Rex Manu, while Matt Bryant is back to practice with Mars, his former team. Bryant will play as a local player because he's half Taiwanese. Jack Mai, the general manager of Luckipar Panthers, will replace Lee Chin Chee, who was fired months ago, and work as a GM-interim headcoach.

The Millennium Series is the first games hosted by the CBA since Elite Four Tournament back in July. Although the league held re-structure meetings from time to time. There's no any significant positive improvement. Whether or not the league will re-open its season in March is still a big question mark.

SERIES SCHEDULE
No Date Time Matchup(Road Team-Home Team)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
01 0101 1630 Hongkuo-Yulon
02 0102 1630 Luckipar-Mars
03 0104 1830 Yulon-Luckipar
04 0105 1830 Hongkuo-Hongfu
05 0106 1830 Mars-Dacin
06 0114 1830 Hongfu-Mars
07 0115 1630 Luckipar-Hongkuo
08 0116 1630 Yulon-Dacin
09 0121 1830 Mars-Yulon
10 0122 1630 Dacin-Hongkuo
11 0128 1830 Luckipar-Dacin
12 0129 1630 Hongkuo-Mars
13 0211 1830 Hongfu-Yulon
14 0212 1630 Hongkuo-Luckipar
15 0213 1630 Dacin-Mars
16 0216 1830 Hongfu-Dacin
17 0217 1830 Mars-Luckipar
18 0218 1830 Yulon-Hongkuo
19 0225 1830 Mars-Hongfu
20 0226 1630 Hongkuo-Dacin
21 0227 1630 Luckipar-Yulon
22 0228 1630 Dacin-Hongfu
23 0301 1830 Yulon-Mars
24 0302 1830 Hongfu-Hongkuo
25 0303 1830 Dacin-Luckipar
26 0310 1830 Dacin-Yulon
27 0311 1630 Luckipar-Hongfu
28 0312 1630 Mars-Hongkuo
29 0316 1830 Semifinal
30 0317 1830 Semifinal
31 0320 1830 Semifinal
32 0321 1830 Semifinal
33 0322 1830 Semifinal
34 0325 1630 Final
35 0326 1630 Final
36 0328 1830 Final
37 0329 1830 Final
38 0331 1830 Final

Sunday, November 28, 1999

HONG-KUO BEAT YULON IN SINCHU CUP FINAL

Nov.19 Yulon 105-102 CBA All-Star
Yulon-Chou Hong-Yu 32p, Wu Chi-Wei 17p+10rb, Chen Hsin-An 16p
CBA-Lin Shin-Hua 23p, Chen Chi-Chun 19p

Nov.20 Hong-kuo 104-90 CBA All-Star
Hong-kuo-Lo Shin-Liang 18p, Huang Chun-Hsiung 11p+10rb
CBA-Chen Chi-Chun 31p
**Preliminary Games Standing:Hong-kuo2-0, Yulon 1-1, CBA All-Star 0-2

Nov.27 Championship Game:Hong-kuo 109-89 Yulon
Hong-kuo-Lo Shin Liang 30p(11-16 FG)+7rb+3a+5s, Huang Chun-Hsiung 19p+10rb, Chou Jun-San 15p+9a
Yulon-Dong Fang Che-Ter 23p, Chen Hsin-An 14p, Chou Hong-Yu 14p, Wu Chi-Wei 14p
MVP:Lo Shin-Liang(Hong-kuo)

CBA NOTE: Once again, the CBA is about to change its original plan. It's believed that the league will shorten the 41-game "experimental season" and turn them into the exhibition games for the official 2000 season. According to local paper report, the league is trying to re-open the official CBA season on March 3, 2000.

Friday, November 19, 1999

CBA WILL PLAY EXPERIMENTAL SEASON

CBA will schedule a "Experimental Season" in January, 2000, which features all six teams with each plays 10 "regular season"games, the league's re-structure committee announced after its second meeting on November 18. The committee claimed if the experimental season goes well and receives nice fan response, the league will be able to move on to the next stage of re-establishing Taiwanese professional basketball.

The short season will have a maximum of 41 games, regular season and playoff games combined. All games will be played at Taipei Physical Education College Gymnasium (main venue) and Taipei County Gymnasium in Panchiao. Each team is allowed to take two imports. Import rules will be announced on later date.

The short season format:
--Each team plays all other teams twice. It means there will be 30 regular season games.
--There will be six games every week with one game each in Thursday and Friday, double-header both in Saturday and Sunday.
--Top four teams advance to playoffs.
--Best-of-three first round playoff will see regular season No.1 vs No.4, No.2 vs No.3. Winners advance.
--Finals will be best-of-five.



Sponsored by local enterprises, Hong-kuo, Yulon and CBA All-Star entered a four-game tournament "Sinchu Cup", which is played in Sinchu city. The tournament will not be counted as the official CBA competition. Therefore, Yulon Dinos even BORROWED amateur players from A-League because they're short of players.

Nov.18 Hong-kuo 110-96 Yulon
Yulon:Chen Hsin-An 33p(13-19 FG, 3-5 3PT) in 28 minutes..Chen is a 19 year-old
borrowed from Bank of Taiwan in A-League
Hong-kuo:Chou Jun-San 26p, 7rb,4a,3s..Huang Chun-Hsiung 18p, 17rb

Remaining Schedule
Nov.19 Yulon vs CBA All-Star
Nov.20 Hong-kuo vs CBA All-Star
Nov.27 Championship

Monday, November 08, 1999

TAIWAN PLAYERS PROFILES

Notes--
(1)The dozen players listed below include veteran players who had established themselves as professionals in the CBA and several promising youngsters who are still in amateur or high school level.All of them are Taiwanese.

(2)The CBA suspended its 1998-99 season indefinitely in March, 1999 due to financial difficulties. At the time each team only played 20-plus games, about half of the original 50-game season.

(3)The six CBA teams are HONG-KUO ELEPHANTS, YULON DINOS, KAOHSIUNG MARS, LUCKIPAR PANTHERS, HONG-FU RAMS and DACIN TIGERS.


VETERAN PLAYERS

Cheng Chih-Lung
Status/League:Pro/CBA(Chinese Basketball Alliance, Taiwan)
**Signed an one season contract with China's Shanghai Sharks in October, 1999.
Position:Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Height:6-3 1/2(192cm)
Born:1969/8/29
Career Notes: As an 18 year-old in 1987, became the youngest National Team member ever in Taiwan basketball history...Led CBA in 3P FG%(.443), named November MVP in 94-95...Led CBA in FT%(.843), named CBA First Team and Finals MVP in 95-96...Led CBA in FT%(.863), 3P FG%(.452), named Regular Season MVP and All-Local First Team in 96- 97...Led CBA in FG%(.557), named CBA First Team, All-Defensive Team and Finals MVP in 97-98...Nicknamed "Doctor"...Averaged 18.2ppg(fourth) and 2.0spg(sixth) in 20th Asian Basketball Championship(1999)...His father is an American soldier who he never meet...

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 H.K. 41 1230 18.6 3.4 2.5 296 531 55.7 47 104 45.2 122 152 80.3
98-99 H.K. DNP-Injury

Technical Analysis: Simply the biggest name in Taiwanese basketball, even in Asia...virtually unstoppable one-on-one skill...Cheng is a complete offensive package, featuring series of moves on offense like various ballfakes, fadeaway jumper, leaner, floater, double-pump...you name them, he has them...can also post up opponents down low and score...a very smart and sneaky scorer...known for flashy dunking earlier in his career, Cheng concentrated on "just simply score" later on...recognized by ABC as the most versitile player in Asia...because of his scoring ability, Cheng's passing and defense sometimes get overlooked...with Cheng, Hong-kuo and Taiwan NT both like to use him in isolation down the stetch, since he can always creat his own shot off the dribble and is also a great free throw shooter...good at reading defense, using screens and moving without the ball...great footwork...can score in traffic...opponents love to bang him to make him less effective...at 30 years-old, Cheng is at the peak of his game...


Chou Jun-San
Status/League:Pro/CBA
Position:Point Guard
Height:5-9(175cm)
Born:1969/1/28
Career Notes: Led CBA in APG three consecutive years in 94-97(6.6, 8.8, 6.1)...Led CBA in 3P FG%(.503) in 97-98...Named February MVP and CBA First Team in 94-95; January MVP in 95-96; Best Image Award, All-Local First Team and Third Phase MVP in 96-97; CBA First Team in 97-98...

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 H.K. 47 1672 12.4 3.2 6.0 201 412 48.8 95 189 50.3 84 114 73.7
98-99 H.K. DNP-Injury

Technical Analysis: During the last five to six years, Chou was regarded as the best point guard in the CBA, leading the league in assists in the first three seasons...prefers to penetrate and kicks the ball out to open shooters...respectable perimeter shooting ability, especially beyond the arch...tends to be too flashy sometimes...if studying him hard enough, should be able to cut off his penetrate-and-dish passing lane and make him ineffective...his game slides down a bit after injury...explosive first step(before injury)...


Huang Chun-Hsiung
Status/League:Pro/CBA
Position:Forward
Height:6-7(201cm)
Born:1971/11/19
Career Notes: Named All-Local First Team in 96-97...7.8rpg and 50.0 3P FG% ranked sixth and fifth, respectively, in 20th Asian Basketball Championship(1999)

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 H.K. 43 1481 11.0 4.4 1.0 180 376 47.9 39 115 33.9 73 109 66.9
98-99 H.K. 16 435 6.6 3.7 1.5 43 104 41.4 12 31 38.7 7 17 41.2

Technical Analysis: His play in the 20th Asian Basketball Championship drew high regards among numerous Asian pro teams...started out his career in center, then power forward, then small forward...needs to bulk up his slim bulid and show intensity every time down the floor...shooting range expands during recent years...tends to rely too much on outside shot, no back-to-the-basket moves at all, which dips his field goal percentage...awesome leaping ability and body coordination for a 6-7 guy...likes to move without the ball and does most of his work around baseline and follow-up...


Lo Shin-Liang
Status/League:Pro/CBA
Position:Shooting Guard
Height:5-11(180cm)
Born:1971/3/18
Career Notes: No.2 scorer in 20th Asian Basketball Championship(1999) with 20.3ppg...

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 H.K. 41 626 5.4 1.6 0.7 83 189 43.9 35 97 36.1 21 29 72.4
98-99 Dacin 20 839 17.0 4.0 4.3 114 256 44.5 42 112 37.5 69 82 87.2

Technical Analysis: A self-made shooter...has been known for shooting ability since junior high...there's not much you can ask from him if you takes away his shooting though...buried on the bench during the first three seasons in star-studded Hong-kuo, blossomed into a prolific scorer in Dacin...terrific scorer's mentality, will keep firing from outside until you bench him...too short for a modern day two guard, fundamental and passing are also questionable...


Chu Chi-Chin
Status/League:Pro/CBA
Position:Power Forward/Center
Height:6-6(198cm)
Born:1969/7/18
Career Notes: 95-96 CBA Rookie of the Year...Named Fourth Phase MVP and All-Local First Team in 96-97...Named CBA First Team and All-Defensive Team in 97-98...

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 H.F. 50 2028 14.8 5.5 1.9 314 688 45.6 29 110 26.4 82 172 47.7
98-99 H.F. 19 541 9.8 4.4 1.7 78 168 46.4 8 32 25.0 22 36 61.1

Technical Analysis: The only inside presence on the national team, strong body, fair skills...is not afraid to mix it up in the paint...his game slided down greatly in the past two years...lacks the competetive desire due to off court problems with management...Shaq-
like free throw...

PROMISING YOUNGSTERS

Yen Hsin-Shu
Status/League:Pro/CBA
Position:Point Guard
Height:6-0(182cm)
Born:1976/9/8
Career Notes: 96-97 CBA Most Improved Player Award...Led CBA in APG two consecutive years in 97-99(6.4, 6.4)...Named CBA First Team and All-Defensive Team in 97-98...Led CBA in 3P FG%(.432) in 98-99...

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 Mars 50 2022 11.8 3.5 6.4 209 430 48.6 36 114 31.6 134 169 79.3
98-99 Mars 20 697 16.7 2.5 6.4 119 227 52.4 35 81 43.2 61 76 80.3

Technical Analysis: Perceived as the most promising lead guard in 21st century...Yen's scoring and assists average increased for the fourth consecutive year...a classic pass-first point guard who excels in the open court with highly underrated scoring ability...an uncanny passer who always find the open man...needs to learn to play in the half-court set and slash more...


Hsu Chi-Chao
Status/League:Pro/CBA
Position:Shooting Guard
Height:6-2 1/2(189cm)
Born:1974/5/1
Career Notes:

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 Dacin 50 1754 13.3 3.3 1.6 260 563 46.2 57 158 36.1 86 126 68.3
98-99 DNP-Military service

Technical Analysis: Aside from Cheng Chih-Lung, the most reliable mid-range jump shooter in Taiwan...likes to shoot from the wing, sometimes sneaks to the baseline and caught the defensive player off-guard...his signature move is fake-and-shoot...unimpressive foot speed...


Chen Chi-Chun
Status/League:Pro/CBA
Position:Point Guard
Height:6-0(182cm)
Born:1977/3/2
Career Notes: Won Three-point Shootout in 96-97 CBA All-Star Game...

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 Lucki 49 1389 7.7 2.1 2.0 133 289 46.0 40 115 34.8 69 98 70.4
98-99 Lucki 20 791 10.5 2.8 4.2 78 199 39.2 28 80 35.0 26 32 81.3

Technical Analysis: Up-and-coming PG prospect...will play 48 minute chest-to-chest defense like a junkyard dog, like to challenge and harass the opposing dribbler...sometimes pays for his defense style: picking up ticky-tack and stupid fouls...terrific fundamental, espceially dribbling...slim but strong...needs to learn to read defense better, mid-range shooting also takes work...


Chou Hung-Yu
Status/League:Pro/CBA
Position:Small Forward
Height:6-5(195cm)
Born:1976/6/15
Career Notes: Ranked fifth in FG% in 20th Asian Basketball Championship(1999) with 74%, shooting an outstanding 17 for 24 from the field in limited playing time...Selected to NT in 1999 for the first time...

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 Yulon 4 32 3.8 0 0 7 13 53.9 0 1 0 1 2 50.0
98-99 Yulon 23 577 7.7 2.2 1.3 81 171 47.4 4 14 28.6 14 21 66.7

Technical Analysis: Played center in high school, Chou possesses outstanding high-post moves and various ballfakes...a late bloomer, did not play much before 98-99 season...worked himself into a reliable mid-range jump shooter, needs to expand his range though...With his great ballfakes and move without the ball, Chou plays a very fluid game, use his finesse over power...it seems he is always in the right place at the right time...has potential to be the best small forward in Taiwan going into the new millenium...


Chen Hsin-An
Status/League:Amateur/Bank of Taiwan, A-League
Position:Small Forward/Shooting Guard
Height:6-4(193cm)
Born:1980/7/1
Career Notes: Burst onto the national scene in 1998, by now Chen has become the hottest young star both in Taiwan and East Asia... Clearly the best young prospect in Taiwan... Selected to National Team in 1998 as an 18 year-old and tied Cheng Chih-Lung's record as
the youngest NT member in history...Ranked fourth in FG% in 20th Asian Basketball Championship(1999) with 75%, shooting 6 for 8 from the field in limited playing time...

As a high school senior in 1998, averaged 20.1ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.3apg and 1.8spg in 19 regular season games and single-handedly carried unheralded Songshan HS to fifth place in HBL Division I...In the 1998 International High School Tournament which features four teams from Korea, Japan and Taiwan, led Taiwan HS All-Star team with 17.8ppg...

Starred in 1998 JAPAN NIKE CAMP and drew rare review from NBA star guard Penny Hardaway...Led Taiwan Junior NT with 23.0ppg and 7.0rpg in Asian Junior Basketball Championship(Calcutta, India)...Named by Asian Basketball Confederation as the most promising junior player in Asia along with 7-6 center Yao Ming from China...In his first season in A-League, led Bank of Taiwan to third place and named to league's All-Star Team...

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 Songshan HS(HBL) Not available
98-99 Bank of Taiwan Not available

Technical Analysis: Chen possesses rare combination of perimeter shooting and various explosive high-flying act...a very exciting player who excels in open court...the most unusual aspect of his game that drew insiders' attention is his poise at this young age and his uncanny passing ability...a very unselfish player, sometimes so unselfish to a fault...however, when he's on, nobody's gonna stop him from scoring...outstanding leaping ability makes him dunk with ease, earning him the nickname "Prince of Dunk"...

Physical talent and the will to learn are two of his biggest upsides...though spending most of his playing time at small forward, Chen has expressed he would like to be a two guard for higher level competetion...his height will make him even more difficult to stop at shooting guard position...because of his youth, Chen tends to fade into the backgrounds sometimes, referring to his older teammates, which leads some folks questionaing his desire to dominate...always let the game comes to him, never force any action on the court...one-on-one defense needs to improve...


Chen Jian-Chou
Status/League:Amateur/Da-Hua Construction, A-League
Position:Forward
Height:6-3(190cm)
Born:1977/5/2
Career Notes: 1999 A-League All-Star Team...Last-minute addition to NT in 20th Asian Basketball Championship(1999), did not play a single minute, though...Led Flying Camel (Taiwan's military basketball team) to 1998 A-League champion...

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
97-98 Flying Camel Not available
98-99 Flying Camel Not available

Technical Analysis: Chen's freak hairstyle will be your first impression on him, but he is much more than just a "Generation Y" player...local folks compared his built and playing style to NBA's Charles Barkley...he is a under-sized center/power forward in A-League, but a very effective one...always relentless on the board at both ends of the floor and plays the game with high intensity and emotion, which carries over to his teammates...though stands only 6-3, basically an inside player...dominates opponents with his awesome upperbody power and great leaping ability...Chen gradually expands his range to 19 feet in...height deficiency will make it hard for him to matchup against taller opponentsin the 4 spot at a higher level...dedicates himself to defense in every minute...


Tien Lei
Status/League:High School Sophomore/HBL(High School Basketball League)
Position:Forward/Center
Height:6-7(201cm)
Born:1983/6/1
Career Notes: Selected to 1999 HBL All-Star Team as a high school freshman!!...Dubbed by NBA Sacramento assistant coach Pete Carril, former coach of Princeton University, as the most promising player in 1999 TAIWAN NIKE CAMP...

Season Team G Min PPG RPG APG FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT%
98-99 Sanmin HS(HBL) Not available

Technical Analysis: Tien, who's very slim but still growing, can be the tallest small forward in Taiwan basketball history, he has the talent to go with his height. Meanwhile, he wants to be a 3, too...very good lateral speed, good touch around the basket and perimeter...he can also beat opponents off the dribble with ease and creat his own shots...

Saturday, November 06, 1999

CBA Calls For Re-Structure Committee

Assisted by the NSC(National Sports Council), the CBA decided to field a "RE-STRUCURE COMMITTEE" after a five-hour marathon meeting on November 3. In order to test the local response and keep the fans' interest of the league, it also agreed to schedule a series of warnup games within the next two months.

Mars head coach CHUN CHI-MUN and three-time champion Hong-kuo Elephant owner LIN HONG-DAO were named the co-chairman of the committee, which includes six GMs of CBA teams and a official from the NSC.

Excluded the Dacin Tigers, who finished dead last in the league four consecutive years, the other five teams agreed to participate the warmup games. Because of earlier feud with NSC president CHAO LI-YUN, Dacin owner WANG JEN-DA said the Tigers will not play in the warmup games and threatened to pull the team out of the league.

Wang, who refused the NSC's request to head the committee in October, claimed that the league's No.1 priority is a new arena, which can be built within three or four months. He also expressed his concerns about the league's rush to re-start a new season.

Will the CBA start on March 3, 2000?(Originally scheduled re-opening date: January 14, 2000) There's no any agreement reached in the meeting regarding this issue. However, the committee did promise to look into several important issues, including a new competition system, player trade rules and draft rules to make the new CBA better.

(Notes) Taiwan NT and CBA All-Stars will play a charity game on Nov.7 with all revenues donating to the refugees in the massive earthquake, which hit Taiwan on September 21.

Thursday, October 14, 1999

TAIWAN STAR CHENG CHIH-LUNG TO PLAY IN CHINA

CHENG CHIH-LUNG, who was dubbed by ABC as Asian's best all-around player in 1998, has signed a one-season contract with China's Shanghai Sharks(Hilton League). Cheng officially announced the signing in the press cenference on October 11.

One of Taiwan's most celebrated basketball players to date, Cheng cited he wants to bring his talent to the competitive Chinese league, since Taiwan's CBA is still in the middle of the re-structure and failed time and again to find its direction.

"Money is one thing, but the most important reason for me to go out there is to prove myself and to keep working on my game.", Cheng said during the conference.

It's believed that Cheng signed with Sharks thru the help of SINAnet president Jiang Fong-Nian, who was rumored to be interested in being the minority owner of the Sharks. Cheng's monthly salary is believed to be in an estimate range of 8000-10000 USD, a lot higher than the Chinese local players.

Cheng will have a chance to join 18 year-old phenom Yao Ming, an agile 7-6 center who is in the attention by numerous U.S. college and pro teams, and make the Sharks a contending team in the Hilton League right away. He is expected to be in the starting lineup from day one.

Cheng will play with Shanghai from November to next April, then go back to Taiwan and consider his next move--whether it's signing with his former team Hong-kuo Elephants or moving on to Dacin Tigers, finishing last in the CBA in three consecutive seasons.

Many Taiwan players are ready to follow Cheng's footsteps. Liaoning Hunters, which finished second in the Hilton League last season, is said to be interested in 6-7 F/C HUANG CHUN-HSIUNG. And Huang did not rule out the possibility to go to China. Meantime, several players, led by 198cm NT center CHU CHIH-CHIN, will play in Singapore in the next few months.

Taiwanese players' exodus will probably speed up the CBA's clueless re-stucture, most believed.

Friday, October 01, 1999

ASIAN ALL-STAR CHENG CHIH-LUNG HEAD FOR CHINA

Ming-shen Daily, the leading sports newspaper in Taiwan, reported Thursday that Taiwan's top player Cheng Chih-Lung has agreed to a three-month, 30000 USD contract with China's Shanghai Sharks.

Shanghai Sharks did not release any official statement regarding Cheng's signing. It's believed Cheng got the deal with a little help from SINAnet, one of the biggest Chinese internet website company and owns 50% of the Sharks.

Cheng's original contract with three-time CBA champion Hong-kuo Elephants expired on September 1. However Cheng was reluctant to re-sign with Hong-kuo, citing the team's failure in taking care of its players. At 30 years-old, obviously Cheng wants to make the most out of the last few years of his career. Cheng noted another reason he decided to play in China: the CBA's slow development to bring back the league.

Ming-shen Daily reported that Cheng will join the Sharks as soon as November. If the CBA re-open its season on time in March next year, Cheng will consider coming back and sign with any team. Aside from Hong-kuo, Dacin Tigers is also recruiting Cheng hard.

In the meantime, the CBA's re-structure became the latest victim of the Taiwan earthquake, which occured on September 21 and killed more than 2000 people.

Due to the chaos through out the nation, the CBA has to again delay its re-structure schedule. The league is trying to arrange a charity game to donate all incomes to the victims in the quake.

Shin-kwang Group, which is interested in purchasing the Mars, also delayed its Board of Governors meeting indefinitely.

Monday, September 06, 1999

MORE FROM ASIA

ASIA ALL-STAR ROSTER SET
Rosters for October 6th exhibition game in Guangzou, China between Asia All-Star Team and China NT was set after the tournament. 13 players selected for the Asia All-Star Team are:

Cheng Chih-Lung, Taiwan(192, F/G)
Lo Shing-Liang, Taiwan(182, G)
Seo Jang-Hoon, South Korea(207, C)
Hur Jae, South Korea(190, G)
Ali Al-Maghrabi, Saudi Arabia
Yasser Ahmad Al-Hage, Lebanon(198, F/C)
Walid Al-Domiati, Lebanon(179, G)
Romel Adducul, Philippines(190, F)
Michael Takahashi, Japan(198, F)
Takehiko Omiro, Japan(190, G)
Choi Fung-Yue, Hong Kong(200, F)
Yaseem Mahmoud, Qatar(206, C)
Osama Mubarak, Kuwait(?, ?)
Head Coach:Cheung Tai-Wing, Hong Kong

CHENG CHIH-LUNG TO PLAY IN CHINA?
Rumors said it's highly possible that Cheng Chih-Lung, who's the hottest player pursuit by several pro clubs in the Asian Championship, may decide to play in China next season. Cheng's contract with Taiwan's Hong-kuo Elephant had expired in the end of August and Hong-kuo's management hasn't approached Cheng for any re-negotiation yet. In the same time, Taiwan's pro league CBA is still in the LOCKOUT period--although it had announced for coming back in January next year. It's believed Cheng, who's now 30, will make the best career choice in the coming months. Taiwan local papers reported Cheng will sign with Hilton League's Shanghai Sharks, where China's 7-6 giant Yao Ming is playing. Taiwan NT 198cm center Chu Chih-Chin was also possible to make the move from Taiwan to China, rumors said.

ABA BEGINS ACTION IN 2000
Asian Basketball Association(ABA), a orginization trying to integrate Asian professional teams held a meeting in Fukuoka, Japan on September 5th and decided to start play in June, 2000.

Tentative results of the meeting decided to field six teams, including Taiwan, China, South Korea, Japan, Philippines and Hong Kong All-Star, in next year's schedule. Games will be played in Taipei, Seoul, Manila, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Each matchup features two games, one at home and one on the road. It means every team has 10 games to play.

In the preliminary schedule, the opening game will be on June 10 and the All-Star Game is scheduled on July 12.

In June and July, ABA played four rounds of promotion games in Sunjung (China), Zhongsan(China), Tokyo(Japan) and Taipei(Taiwan) with China NT dominating with a 9-1 records. The ABA is head by a group of Asian basketball officials from different countries, including current FIBA vice president Chin Man-Kee(Hong Kong).

China Beat South Korea, Grabbed Last Ticket To Sydney

China won their 11th Asian men's basketball title and the only birth in Asia in the Sydney Olympics when they defeated defending champion South Korea 63-45 on September 5th.

The Koreans led 15-13 in the early going but soon trailed 21-29 at the half. Cho Sung-Won's three-pointer with eight minutes remaining in the second half cut China's lead to 38-42, but that's the closest they can get. China's Hu Wei-Dong, who was selected the MVP in the tournament, buried three three-pointers in the last four minutes to seal the win.

Hu scored team-high 16 points while Gong Xiao-Bin contributed 15. NBA Dallas Mavericks draft pick Wang Zhi-Zhi collected 10 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks in 27 minutes. Korea was led by Kang Dong-Hee's 10 points. Center Seo Jang-Hoon had 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Known for a dangerous shooting team, South Korea was limited by China's brilliant defense on the perimeter, shooting for a miserable 5-19 from three-point range. Korea also lost to China 92-112 in last year's Asiam Games in Bangkok.

China coach Jiang Xing-Quan praised his team's defense and work on the boards. China grabbed the only spot Asia receives from Sydney Olympics and will look for improving their 8th place finish both in '94 World Championships and '96 Atlanta Olympics.

In the consolation game, Saudi Arabia regained their momentum in the second half and trounced favorite Taiwan 93-67 to win the third place, the highest finish in their Asian Championship history starting from 1989.

Ali Al Maghrabi tallied 36 points and led Saudi Arabia from 38-39 halftime deficit to complete the come-from-behind win. Saudi Arabia outscored Taiwan 55-28 in the second 20 minutes.

Taiwan led 12-4 in the beginning and trailed only by one, 51-52, with 13 1/2 minutes remaining. However they were upset by several calls that didn't went their way and collapsed in the last 10 minutes.

The 21th Asian Men's Basketball Championship will be held in Bangkok, Thailand in 2001.


RESULTS
9/5
FINAL:China 63-45 South Korea(29-21)
CONSOLATION:Saudi Arabia 93-67 Taiwan(38-39)

9/4
SEMI I: China 105-51 Taiwan(50-28)
SEMI II:South Korea 85-59 Saudi Arabia(42-30)

CLASSIFICATION GAMES
9/4
5th & 6th:Japan 77-61 Kuwait(45-25)
7th & 8th:Lebanon 61-60 Syria(27-34)

9/3
9th & 10th:Uzbekistan 70-56 UAE(42-22)
11th & 12th:Philippines 83-75 Bahrain(46-31)
13th & 14th:Hong Kong 68-53 Thailand(39-22)


FINAL STANDINGS
1. China
2. South Korea
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Taiwan
5. Japan
6. Kuwait
7. Lebanon
8. Syria
9. Uzbekistan
10.United Arab Emirates
11.Philippines
12.Bahrain
13.Hong Kong
14.Thailand
15.Malaysia
**Tournament MVP:Hu Wei-Dong, China(198cm, G/F)

Thursday, September 02, 1999

SURPRISE!! TAIWAN UPSET JAPAN, BACK TO FINAL FOUR

Taiwan NT got back their top shooting form in time to shock host Japan, 77-68, in their must-win game and grabbed the final spot in the Asian Basketball Championship's final four.

Taiwan will face powerful China, which won 10 of the previous 19 Asian Basketball Championships, in semifinal. Defending champion South Korea will face Saudi Arabia, which finished fourth in 1997, in the other semi.

Lo Shin-Liang and Cheng Chih-Lung, Taiwan's most prolific scorers, put the nightmarish performance in the South Korea game behind them and tallied 25p and 24p each and led Taiwan to its first final four birth since 1995.

Taiwan NT, which shot 47% from the field in the game, used its sweet perimeter shooting to kickstart the game and led 31-21 with 5:01 remaining in the first half. But Japan's PG Kenichi Sako made a three-pointer to start a 12-0 spurt and led 37-36 at the half.

With Michael Takahashi(19rb) and Dan Weiss(14rb) dominating the board, Japan was able to maintain its lead most of the second half. They still led 62-57 with 5 1/2 minutes to go, when Taiwan made its last push.

Cheng Chih-Lung's six straight points ignited Taiwan's 10-0 run, capped by Lo Shin-Liang's three-pointer. But after Taiwan jumped back to take the lead 69-62 with two minutes remaining, they made only 4 out of 10 free throws. Meanwhile, Takehiko Orimo made two quick three-point shot to make it 68-73 with under a minute to go. However, Japan could not score any point. Taiwan finally walked away and seal the surprising victory after Cheng and Lo swished four consecutive foul shots.

Taiwan trailed 33-50 in rebounding but commited only seven tourovers. Guard Yen Shin-Shu contributed 13 points. Japan's leading scorers Takehiko Orimo and Makoto Hasegawa shot a combined 9-31. As a team, they shot a poorly 35% from the field.

Japan's headcoach Mototaka Kohama immediately resigned from the post after the defeat, citing he could not take the team to a higher level. Takehiko's 16 points led the team.


SECOND ROUND FINAL RESULTS
Group E(1-8)
China 107-67 Lebanon(52-39)
Saudi Arabia 93-80 Kuwait(47-40)
Standing:
1.China 3-0
2.Saudi Arabia 2-1
3.Kuwait 1-2
4.Lebanon 0-3

Group F(1-8)
Taiwan 77-68 Japan(36-37)
South Korea 70-62 Syria(30-38)
Standing:
1.South Kores 3-0
2.Taiwan 2-1
3.Japan 1-2
4.Syria 0-3

Group G(9-15)
UAE 88-75 Malaysia(47-42)
Bahrain 93-70 Hong Kong(39-50)
Standing:
1.UAE 3-0
2.Bahrain 2-1
3.Hong Kong 1-2
4.Malaysia 0-3

Group H(9-15)
Uzbekistan 83-71 Thailand(44-34)
Standing:
1.Uzbekistan 2-0
2.Philippines 1-1
3.Thailand 0-2

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
9/3
13:00 Hong Kong-Thailand(13th/14th place)
15:00 Bahrain-Philippines(11th/12th place)
17:00 UAE-Uzbekistan(9th/10th place)

9/4
10:00 Lebanon-Syria(7th/8th place)
12:00 Japan-Kuwait(5th/6th place)
14:00 South Korea-Saudi Arabia(Semi I)
16:00 China-Taiwan(Semi II)

9/5
11:00 Consolation Game(Semi I&II losers)
13:00 Championship Game(Semi I&II winners)

Wednesday, September 01, 1999

SOUTH KOREA EDGED JAPAN, EYEING REMATCH WITH CHINA

Host Japan lost its most crucial second round game to long time nemesis South Korea, 61-64. Japan will have to defeat Taiwan today to advance to the semifinals. However, potential matchup with China in the semi virtually declare Japan has no chance to finish better than 3rd place.

Defending champion South Korea stormed back from nine points down in the second half to win the game. Korea's brilliant team defense proved to be the winning factor, limiting the inside attack of Japan's fearsome frontcourt, 6-6 Michael Takahashi and 6-9 Dan Weiss, throughout the whole game.

With Korea rallying to reclaim the lead, 60-58, in the last minute. Japan's PG Kenichi Sako knocked down a three-pointer with 30 seconds remaining to go and made it 61-60, Japan. But Hur Jae and Cho Sung-Won scored the last four points of the game to seal the win. Korea also led 34-31 at halftime.

Michael Takahashi scored 6 points and pulled down only five rebounds in 33 minutes. Japan's backcourt was still awesome. Makoto Hasegawa tallied 20 points and Takehiko Orimo contributed 14.

Korea is now 24-13 all-time vs Japan and secured its top place in Group F with two straight wins, which means they will avoid playing China in the cross-over semifinals. Japan and Taiwan, with 1-1 each, will face each other today for the place against China in the semi.

Taiwan regained its top form and defeated Syria 89-81 in the day's last game. Lo shin-Liang led with 25 points. Huang Chun-Hsiun scored 18p and Hsu Chi-Chao 17. Cheng Chih-Lung collected 11 points. Taiwan trailed 33-35 in rebounding but shot 59% from 2-PT range and 52% for 3-PT.

China crushed Saudi Arabia 85-56 for their second straight second round wins and clinched the top place in Group E. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will fight for the last final four spot today.


RESULTS
Group E(1-8)
Kuwait 86-81 Lebanon(40-45)
China 85-56 Saudi Arabia(44-22)
Standing:China 2-0,Saudi Arabia 1-1,Kuwait 1-1,Lebanon 0-2

Group F(1-8)
South Korea 64-61 Japan(34-31)
Taiwan 89-81 Syria(39-37)
Standing:South Korea 2-0,Japan 1-1,Taiwan 1-1,Syria 0-2

Group G(9-15)
UAE 94-88 Hong Kong(41-41)
Bahrain 90-85 Malaysia(44-37)
Standing:UAE 2-0, Hong Kong 1-1,Bahrain 1-1,Malaysia 0-2

Group H(9-15)
Philippines 82-58 Thailand(46-31)
Standing:Uzbekistan 1-0,Philippines 1-1,Thailand 0-1

Tuesday, August 31, 1999

TAIWAN LOST TO KOREA IN HEARTBREAKER

DEATH GROUP, indeed. Taiwan's hot shooting finally comes to an end and lost to defending champion South Korea 54-61. The loss seemingly cost them the ticket in the final four.

Led by Seo Joong-Hoon and Hoon Joo-Yup's inside attack, Korea exposed Taiwan's most glaring weakness--interior offense and defense. Seo scored 21 and Hoon contributed 11. Korea led 34-20 at halftime and was never threatened by Taiwan.

South Korea sent its 193cm F/G Kim Young-Mun on Taiwan's Lo Shin-Liang, who were 21-27 from the field and averaged 28.5 ppg in Taiwan's first two wins, and it paid off. Lo scored only seven points in the game.

Taiwan was led again by Cheng Chih-Lung's 16 points. 200cm F/C Huang Chun-Hsiun scored 11 on three 3-PT in the second half. Cheng and Huang were the only two that reached double-figure.

Host Japan demonstrated its outstanding defense to cruise by Syria, 78-58. They won their first four games by an eye-whopping 38 ppg and looks like a lock to win the group F.

In the other games, Saudi Arabia surprisingly pounded Lebanon 92-69. Powerhouse China passed Kuwait 91-54 with no problem and averaged 33.7 in winning margins in three games.

RESULTS
GROUP E(1-8)
Saudi Arabia 92-69 Lebanon(48-44)
China 91-54 Kuwait(41-20)
Standing:China 1-0, Saudi Arabia 1-0, Lebanon 0-1, Kuwait 0-1

GROUP F(1-8)
Japan 78-58 Syria(38-27)
South Korea 61-54 Taiwan(34-20)
Standing:Japan 1-0, South Korea 1-0, Taiwan 0-1, Syria 0-1

GROUP G(9-15)
UAE 79-72 Bahrain(28-34)
Hong Kong 89-59 Malaysia(44-32)

GROUP H(9-15)
Uzbekistan 94-64 Philippines(52-30)

(Notes)
International recruiting and scouting has expended to Asia. Several pro scouts and big-name coaches are observing on the sideline, including Seattle SuperSonics scout Dwayne Casey. Former LSU coach Dale Brown and former University of Hawaii coach Bruce O'Neal will arrive in Japan on September 1. Casey's No.1 target is China's 7-6 center Yao Ming. He will also take a look at Chen Hsin-An, the 6-3 high-flying forward/guard of Taiwan.

Monday, August 30, 1999

TAIWAN, KOREA AND JAPAN CLASH IN "DEATH GROUP"

With the preliminary games concluded, brackets are set for the ensuing second round. Korea's loss to Lebanon not only dropped them to 2nd in Group A but also makes the outlook of the second round even more interesting.

Korea, Japan Taiwan and Syria are in the Group F, also called "Death Group", while heavy-favorite China, Lebanon, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are in the much more predictable Group E. With Taiwan, Japan and defending champ Korea in the same group, one of them will be left out of the semifinals and go home dissappointed.

Meanwhile, teams failed to advance to the second round are bracketd to Group G & H and will start playing round-robin games today also.

SECOND ROUND BRACKET
Group E: Lebanon, China, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
Group F: Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Syria

Group G: UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bahrain
Group H: Thailand, Uzbekistan, Philippines


RESULTS
Group A
South Korea 88-51 UAE(51-26)
Lebanon 60-50 Philippines
Standing:Lebanon 3-0, South Korea 2-1, UAE 1-2, Philippines 0-3

Group B
Japan 86-39 Kuwait(44-21)
Thailand 89-82 Hong Kong(45-47)
Standing:Japan 3-0, Kuwait 2-1, Thailand 1-2, Hong Kong 0-3

Group C
Syria 92-62 Malaysia(48-26)
Standing:China 2-0, Syria 1-1, Malaysia 0-2

Group D
Taiwan 68-59 Bahrain
Saudi Arabia 82-63 Uzbekistan
Standing:Taiwan 3-0, Saudi Arabia 2-1, Uzbekistan 1-2, Bahrain 0-3


UPCOMING SECOND ROUND SCHEDULE
(Only Group E & F schedule are listed here)
8/31
13:00 Lebanon-Saudi Arabia
15:00 China-Kuwait
17:00 Japan-Syria
19:00 Taiwan-South Korea

9/1
13:00 Kuwait-Lebanon
15:00 Saudi Arabia-China
17:00 South Korea-Japan
19:00 Syria-Taiwan

9/2
13:00 Lebanon-China
15:00 Kuwait-Saudi Arabia
17:00 Taiwan-Japan
19:00 South Korea-Syria

Sunday, August 29, 1999

LEBANON UPSET DEFENDING CHAMP SOUTH KOREA

Lebanon shocked South Korea 75-65 with the biggest upset in the Asian Basketball Championship so far and dropped South Korean to 1-1. South Korea has to knock out UAE today to advance to the second round.

Rumors said it was South Koreans' tactics to lose the game on purpose in order to dodge super-power China in the cross-over semifinals. It looks like South Korea will join Japan, Taiwan and probably Syria in the second round bracket.

If they manage to finish first in the group, they will face the other group's No.2 seed in the semi. It will not be China, of course. Thus South Korea can save the last battle with China to the championship game.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's duo Cheng Chih-Lung and Lo Shin-Liang were both unstoppable in the first two game. Cheng averaged 24.5 and Lo averaged an astounding 28.5ppg. Taiwan NT shot extremely well from the outside as a team also. In both wins, they were 65% and 62%, respectively, from 2-PT range and 50% and 67% from 3-PT territory. They are on a high now and can probably achieve their somewhat impossible mission: gain back their top four status in Asian basketball.

Lebanon, Japan, Kuwait, Taiwan and China all secured a birth in the second round.


Results/Standings

Group A
Lebanon 75-65 South Korea(40-34)
UAE 95-81 Philippines(56-44)
Standings:Lebanon 2-0, South Korea 1-1, UAE 1-1, Philippines 0-2

Group B
Japan 88-58 Hong Kong(38-31)
Kuwait 113-80 Thailand(56-43)
Standings:Japan 2-0, Kuwait 2-0, Thailand 0-2, Hong Kong 0-2

Group C
China 112-61 Syria(63-17)
Standings:China 2-0, Syria 0-1, Malaysia 0-1

Group D
Uzbekistan 62-47 Bahrain(28-20)
Taiwan 92-78 Saudi Arabia(50-36)
(Note)Lo Shin-Liang 28p, Cheng Chih-Lung 21p, Chou Hung-Yu 16p, Huang Chun-Shiung 12p....Team shooting 62% from 2PT range and 10-15 from 3PT line....
Standings:Taiwan 2-0, Saudi Arabia 1-1, Uzbekistan 1-1, Bahrain 0-2

Saturday, August 28, 1999

20TH Asian Basketball Championship Preliminary Round

Results
Group A(Halftime score)
South Korea 98-63 Philippines(58-38)
Lebanon 75-70 UAE(36-43)

Group B
Japan 85-38 Thailand(39-19)
Kuwait 88-62 Hong Kong(33-41)

Group C
China 54-41 Malaysia(34-22)

Group D
Saudi Arabia 79-63 Bahrain(32-28)
Taiwan 90-82 Uzbekistan(41-35)
(Note)Lo Shin-Liang 29p, Cheng Chih-Lung 28p, Huang Chun-Shun 15rb. Taiwan's shooting was outstanding, 65% in 2pt FG, 50% in 3pt FG and led 25-21 in rebounding versus the taller Uzbek team.

Standing
Group A
South Korea 1-0
Lebanon 1-0
UAE 0-1
Philippines 0-1

Group B
Japan 1-0
Kuwait 1-0
Thailand 0-1
Hong Kong 0-1

Group C
China 1-0
Malaysia 0-1
Syria 0-0

Group D
Taiwan 1-0
Saudi Arabia 1-0
Uzbekistan 0-1
Bahrain 0-1

Tuesday, August 24, 1999

Re-opening Could Be Delayed

It looks like the CBA could not but delay its projected re-opening date of January 14, 2000. The last meeting of team general managers went without any developement while teams still have different opinions on many issues.

It's believed that the league officials announced the re-opening date to force team owners pick up their negotiation pace. Team owners are the dicision-makers in the CBA, not GMs. But there's no any formal meeting between owners since the league suspended its fifth season on
March 14. The CBA will not have a new season until all owners are on the same page.

Meanwhile, Chao Li-Yun, Director of the National Sports Council and the highest Sports official in Taiwan, had met most of the owners on different occasions. She will try to lay out the league's future and clear the mess because she knows basketball is Taiwan's No.1 sports and the fans could not tolerate the fact that there's no professional basketball in this island.

Thursday, August 19, 1999

20TH Asian Basketball Championship Team Roster

Note:All rosters are subject to pre-game changes (player, position, height/weight, pro club)

GROUP A:

SOUTH KOREA
Jang-hoon Seo C 207 SK Knights(1999 KBL Best Center)
Kyung-ho Chung C 205 Naray
Eun-ho Lee C/F 197 Daewoo
Jae-hun Park C 200 LG
Joo-yup Hyun F 197 SK Knights
Jae Hur F 190 Naray
Seung-gyun Choo F 192 Hyundai
Young-man Kim F 193 Kia
Sang-hyun Cho F 190 Nasan
Sang-min Lee G 188 Hyundai(1999 KBL MVP)
Dong-hee Kang G 180 Kia
Sung-won Cho G 182 Hyundai

Head Coach:Sun-woo Shin(Hyundai)
Assistant:Jae-hak Ryu(Daewoo)


PHILIPPINES(Consisted of MBA players)
Jovito Sese C 198 Laguna Lakers(11W-12L,Northern#5)
Alvin L. Teng F 192 Laguna Lakers
Crizaldo Bade F 192 Laguna Lakers
Rolly Basilides F 192 Laguna Lakers
Richard Melencio G 183 Laguna Lakers
Wynne Arboleda G 180 Laguna Lakers
Michael Garcia F 188 Laguna Lakers
Oscar Simon G 183 Laguna Lakers
Donaldo Hontiveros G 188 Cebu Gems(16W-8L,Southern#1)
Dale Singson G 180 Iloilo Megavoltz(13W-7L,Southern#2)
Ferdinand V. Ravena G 185 Pasig-Rizal Pirates(18.3ppg,#9)
Vigildo Quezon Babilonia C 198 Pasig-Rizal Pirates(17W-6L,Northern#2)

Head Coach:Victor Sanchez(Laguna Lakers)
Assistant:Cecilio Marcelino
Johnny Tam


UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
N/A at this moment


LEBANON
Dumiati,Walid El 179 G Sporting
El Hajj,Yasser 198 F/C Sporting
Kansou,Jasem 193 F Sporting
Mushantaf,Elie 193 F Sagesse
Kozah,Mark 190 F Tadamon
Naser,Elie 195 C Tadamon
Hamouche,Dany 180 G Sporting
Chidiac,Abdo 183 G Antranik
Fahd,Roni 183 G
Eskedjian,Vicken 193 F
Boustiani,Ghazi 188 G
Baroud,Tony 189 F Rosaire
Fawaz,Elie 196 C Sagesse
Saad,Charly 188 F Sagesse
El Khatib,Fadi 197 F Sagesse
Seikaly,Rony 207 C NBA(ineligible to play)

Head Coach:


GROUP B:

JAPAN
4 Akifumi Yamasaki C 216/112
5 Dan Weiss C 206/100 Toyota
6 Kiyofumi Shioya F 201/105
7 Kenichi Sake G 179/82 Isuzu Motors
8 Makoto Hasegawa G 185/85
9 Takehiko Orimo G 190/77 Toyota
10 Takahiro Setsumasa G 180/75 Toshiba
11 Rc?§﹐y1F?] G 188/85
12 Michael Takahashi F 198/90 Isuzu Motors
13 Satoru Furuta F 199/95
14 Satoshi Sakumoto F 190/82 Isuzu Motors
15 Takuya Kita G 185/83 Toshiba

Head Coach:Mototaka Kohama(Isuzu Motors)


THAILAND
N/A at this moment


HONG KONG
N/A at this moment


KUWAIT
N/A at this moment


GROUP C:

CHINA
Wang Zhi-zhi C 214/108 Bayi Rockets
Liu Yu-dong F 198/99 Bayi Rockets
Zhang Jin-song F 198/95 Bayi Rockets
Li Nan F 198/96 Bayi Rockets
Fan Bin G 178/80 Bayi Rockets
Li Xiao-yong G 189/80 Liaoning
Gong Xiao-bin F 202/104 Shangdong
Yao Ming C 223/107 Shanghai
Zhang Wen-qi F 201/93 Shanghai
Hu Wei-dong G 197/90 Jiangsu
Sun Jun F 198/105 Jilin
Bateer C 210/110 --

Head Coach:Wang Fei



SYRIA
4 TARIF KOTRASH G 181/85 AL WEHDA
5 HEKMAT HADDAD F 197/90 AL HURRIYA
6 MOHAMMAD ABOU SAADA G 179/87 AL ITTIHAD
7 SHARIF AL SHARIF G 188/70 AL WEHDA
8 SAAD MAHAINI F 196/85 AL WEHDA
9 OMAR KASSAS F 194/90 AL ITTIHAD
10 FIRAS HAMWE G 187/79 ARMY
11 MOHAMMAD IMAM F 203/100 AL ITTIHAD
12 ABDELKADER FATTUF C 204/105 AL ITTIHAD
13 TALAL YOUNES F 193/85 ARMY
14 FAYEZ HINNAWI F 198/95 AL WEHDA
15 OUSAMA MADANI C 208/98 ARMY

Head Coach:

MALAYSIA
N/A at this moment


GROUP D:

SAUDI ARABIA
N/A at this moment


TAIWAN
Liu Yi-Hsian C 200/93 Hong-kuo
Chu Chi-Chin C 198/98 Homg-fu
Chen Hsin-An F 193/89 Amateur
Cheng Chih-Lung F 192/85 Hong-kuo
Huang Chun-Hsiun F 200/94 Hong-kuo
Chen Jian-Chou F 190/90 Amateur
Hsu Chi-Chao F 190/85 Dacin
Chou Hong-Yu F 195/88 Yulon
Chou Jun-San G 175/75 Hong-kuo
Yen Hsin-Shu G 183/75 Mars
Chen Chi-Chun G 183/74 Luckipar
Lo Shin-Liang G 180/80 Hong-kuo
Chiu Chih-Yi G 180/70 Amateur

Head Coach:Chen Yi-Fei(Yulon)
Assistant:Tien Shi-Ho(Amateur)
Technical Advisor:Cheng Kong-Hee(Dacin)


BAHRAIN
Murtadha Abbas G 172/85
Mahmood Nowrooz G 186/72
Mohamed Malek G 185/82
Ayyoob Ghuloom G 179/69
Hussain Qaheri G 165/67
Abdul Majeed Norooz F 194/82
Mohamed Abdul Rasool G 186/75
Yaser Bunafoor F 190/85
Nooh Akber F 187/86
Hassan Nasaif C 196/90
Osama Ateeq C 193/95
Ahmed Malalla F 188/107

Head Coach: Salman Ramadan


UZBEKISTAN
N/A at this moment

Saturday, August 14, 1999

20th ABC Championship Primer

Date:28th August- 5th September, 1999
Place:Fukuoka, Japan
Venue:Fukuoka Kokusai Center & Fukuoka Civic Gymnasium

The 20th Asian Basketball Championship for Men which features 15 Asian national teams will send the tournament's winner to the 27th Olympic Games to be held in Sydney, Australia from September 16 to October 1, 2000.

North Korea and Kazakhstan pulled out of the tournament for unspecified reason, leaving Group C with only two teams. ABC immediately added Malaysia into the bracket.

Updated Bracket
Group A:South Korea, UAE, Lebanon, Philippines
Group B:Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Kuwait
Group C:China, Syria, Malaysia
Group D:Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Bahrain

Format:
15 participating teams will be divided into 4 groups and each team shall play all the other teams within each group. Top two finishers from each group will advance to the Quarter-finals. Eight teams qualified for the Quarter-finals will be divided into two groups of 4 teams each in the following manner:
Group I : A1,B2,C1,D2
Group II: A2,B1,C2,D1
Top two finisher from both groups will advance to the cross-over Semi-finals:
I-1 vs II-2
I-2 vs II-1
Winners of the semi-finals will compete for 1st place and the losers for 3rd place.

Classification games:
I-3 vs II-3 for 5th place
I-4 vs II-4 for 7th place
Eight teams eliminated from the Preliminary Round will be divided into two groups of four teams each, with each team playing all the other teams within each own group.
Group III: A3,B4,C3,D4
Group IV: A4,B3,C4,D3
Classification Finals:
III-1 vs IV-1 for 9th place
III-2 vs IV-2 for 11th place
III-3 vs IV-3 for 13th place
III-4 vs IV-4 for 15th place

Preliminary Round schedules
8/28
Kokusai
1300 Japan-Thailand
1500 Korea-Philippines
1700 China-Malaysia
1900 UAE-Lebanon
Civic Center
1300 Kuwait-Hong Kong
1500 Saudi Arabia-Bahrain
1700 Uzbekistan-Taiwan

8/29
Kokusai
1300 Hong Kong-Japan
1500 Lebanon-Korea
1700 Syria-China
1900 Taiwan-Suadi Arabia
Civic Center
1300 Tailand-Kuwait
1500 Philippines-UAE
1700 Bahrain-Uzbekistan

8/30
Kokusai
1300 Japan-Kuwait
1500 Korea-UAE
1700 Philippines-Lebanon
1900 Taiwan-Bahrain
Civic Center
1300 Thailand-Hong Kong
1500 Malaysia-Syria
1700 Saudi Arabia-Uzbekistan

Saturday, August 07, 1999

SOUTH KOREA WON FIRST EVER JONES CUP TITLE

Led by tournament MVP Hur Jae's 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, South Korea NT edged Taiwan NT 70-67 in front of 4,000 screaming crowds and won their first ever William Jones Cup title. Taiwan NT finished second for the second year in a row, losing to Philippines in 1998.

Dubbed as Asia's most dangerous shooting team, South Korea scored 15 of its first 20 points on 5 three-pointers and led by 32-19 with 6 minutes remaining in the first half. Cheng Chih-Lung, who scored 14 points in the first half, remained the most reliable scorer for Taiwan. Lo Shing-Liang scored 9 points to lead a closing 14-4 run before the halftime buzzer, when Taiwan trailed 33-36.

Taiwan opened the second half with an 8-4 spurt in 3 minutes to taste its first lead, 41-40. The ensuing 15 minutes became the dual of South Korea's Hur Jae and Taiwan's Yen Shin-Shu. Hur Jae exploded for 12 points while Yen answered with 8 points, including two three-pointers. South Korea still led 67-61 with 2 minutes left.

Taiwan found its shooting touch in time and made its last push. Cheng Chih-Lung and reserve Hsu Chih-Chao consecutively swished two three-pointers within 30 seconds to tie the score at 67 with 1:12 remaining.

Taiwan then toughened up its defense, leaving South Korean 0.22 seconds away from 30-second violation. But South Korea executed a brilliant backdoor play after timeout with Hyun Joo-Yup laying in the decisive basket for 69-67 lead. Taiwan NT collapsed in the final 30 seconds, committing two turnovers and finally let South Koreans walk away with the victory.

Seo Jang-Hoon, KBL's best center last season, led South Korea with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Clearly he was too strong in the paint for Taiwanese frontline to handle. Hyun Joo-Yup contributed 15.

Cheng Chih-Lung's 19 lead Taiwan NT and Lo Shing-Liang scored 17. Yen Shin-Shu, who scored 30 in last win vs New Zealand, managed 11 points and dished out 6 assists.

New Zealand 62-60 Costa Rica
New Zealand again used its balanced scoring to bounce back from 26-27 halftime deficit and finished 3rd in the Jones Cup. PG Kent Mori led with 11 points. Costa Rica's Henry Martinez tallied 22 points and tournament scoring leader Jorge Arias scored 13.

Taiwan National Second 74-47 Bahrain NT
Taiwan National Second's transition offense made Bahrain one step slow for the whole game. 195cm Center Shan Wei-Fan played his best game in the tournament, tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Chang Hsien-Ming scored 14. Taiwan National shot 56 percent from two point range and limited Bahrain to a miserable 11-49 shooting.


FINAL STANDING
1.South Korea NT
2.Taiwan NT
3.New Zealand
4.Costa Rica
5.Taiwan National Second
6.Bahrain NT
7.Soweto Panthers
8.Philippines


TOURNAMENT AWARDS
MVP: Hur Jae(South Korea)
NOKIA Most Smart Player Award: Cheng Chih-Lung(Taiwan NT)
STATS LEADERS(based on tournament totals)
Scoring: 80,Jorge Arias(Costa Rica)
Rebounding: 40,Andres Leandro(Costa Rica)
Assists: 33,Hur Jae(South Korea)
Steals: 10,Orlando Daly(Costa Rica)
Blocked Shots: 5,Lee Chih-Yi(Taiwan National Second)
Three-pointers: 14,Cho Sung-Won(South Korea)

CBA RELAUNCH NEXT JANUARY

After a six-month suspension, Taiwan's professional basketball is back. Chinese Basketball Alliance(CBA) announced in a written statement which was officially released yesterday (August 6) that it will start its 6th season on January 14, 2000.

In the statement, the CBA also lay out its preliminary re-structure schedule. In August and September it will arrange a total of four meetings of team managers and owners to set up the re-structure schedule and various plans in details.

Each team has to remit the deposit, estimated between 30M-40M NT dollar, before the deadline of September 21, for admission to the new season.

The league will set up the 2000 season schedule, start the referee training camp and the working crew training in October. The local and foreign players draft will take place in November. Also in this month the league will start the TV contract negotiation and all promotional events.

All teams will play a number of exhibition games in December and gear up for the January 14 opening game. Playoffs start in July, 2000.

CBA's six teams are: Hong-kuo Elephants, Kaoshiung Mars, Yulon Dinos, Luckipar Panthers, Hong-fu Rams and Dacin Tigers. Except for Mars and Rams, the other four teams are financially stable so far.

Friday, August 06, 1999

Taiwan NT will face South Korea in Jones Cup final

Taiwan NT played its best tournament game in the last 10 plus years, defeating New Zealand 79-73 and advance to the Jones Cup final, in which they will face long time nemesis South Korea NT.

Both Taiwan and South Korea are 2-0 in the single-round, four-team playoff. Two winless teams in the playoffs, Costa Rica and New Zealand will play for the third place.

Yen Hsin-Shu(182cm), the most promising point guard in years, switched to shooting guard and exploded for 30 points, shooting unbelievable 7-10 from three-point range. He also remembered how to pass, dishing out game-high 6 assists.

Yen made four three-pointers in a five-minute stretch and led Taiwan jumped to a 33-21 early lead. New Zealand answer back with a 10-0 run and trailed by 5 in halftime, 35-40.

In the second half, Yen scored 3 points in a 8-4 opening spurt to boost Taiwan's lead back to nine. New Zealand's 7-foot center Robert Hickey then scored 8 in a 13-4 run to tie the score at 52 with 13:20 remaining. Yen again stepped forward, making three three-pointers and an acrobatic drive to up Taiwan's lead to double-digit with 2:30 remaining, 79-68.

Lo Shing-Liang scored 19 for Taiwan and PG Chou Jung-San dished out five assists. But the credit also goes to Taiwan's bluecollar frontline, which fight the whole game to keep New Zealand's two seven-footers from the paint. Undersized Taiwan surprisingly won the rebounding battle 27-22. Huang Chun-Shun pulled down team-high 8 rebounds. In all, Taiwan shot a respectable 12-27 from three-point territory.

New Zealand was led by Robert Hickey's 17 and Pero Cameron's 15.

South Korea NT 90-84 Costa Rica
South Korea:Kang Dong-Hee 23p(5-7 3PT),6a, Cho Sang-Won 23p(7-12 3PT), Hur Jae 13p,10a
Costa Rica:Jimmy Garcia 18p(6-11 3PT), Henry Martinez 17p

Bahrain NT 50-49 Soweto Panthers
Bahrain trailed almost the entire game but Ayyoob Ghuloom knocked down a winning three-pointer with 4 seconds remaining and saved the day for Bahrain. Soweto Panthers finished 7th in the tournament.
Bahrain NT:Hussain Quaheri 15p, Nooh Akber 14p
Soweto Panthers:Eric Makwela 14p, Sfiso Ncgobo 13p

Tournament Update
Championship game: Taiwan NT-South Korea NT
3rd Place game:New Zealand-Costa Rica
5th place game:Taiwan National Second-Bahrain
7th place:Soweto Panthers
8th place:Philippines

Thursday, August 05, 1999

PHILIPPINES LEFT TAIWAN EARLY

Philippines decided to withdraw from William Jones Cup and go home as soon as possible, leaving Taiwan at 10:20 this morning. Head coach Danny Gaveires released an apology letter before departure.

Because Philippines refused to play their only game left, in which they will play another home team Taiwan National Second, CTBA announced it will have to place Philippines as the last-place(8th) team in the tournament.

Philippines claimed they withdrew from the game because of "safety concerns" of their players.

Game 1: Costa Rica 76-46 Bahrain
Costa Rica: Jorge Arias 17p, Orland Daly 16p, Jimmy Garcia 10p,7rb,5a
Bahrain:Abdul Majeed Norooz 10p,10rb

Game 2: Korea 83-49 Soweto Panthers
South Korea: Cho Sang-Hyun 21p(6-10 3PT), Seo Jang-Hoon 14p,10rb, Lee Eun-Ho 12p, Hur Jae 3p,8a
Soweto Panthers:Sfiso Ncgobo 12p,6rb, Tshwantsho Melato 11p,11rb

Game 3: New Zealand 87-60 Taiwan National Second
New Zealand: Pero Cameron 15p, Robert Hickey 12p, Michael Tompson 10p
Taiwan National Second: Chen Chih-Chung 22p, Chang Hsien-Ming 21p

Preliminary Standing(thru August 5)
Group A
1.Taiwan NT 3-0*
2.Costa Rica 2-1*
3.Bahrain 0-3
4.Philippines 1-2(Withdrew from tournament)

Group B
1.South Korea 3-0*
2.New Zealand 2-1*
3.Taiwan National Second 1-2
4.Soweto Panthers 0-3

* Advance to semifinals

Wednesday, August 04, 1999

TAIWAN VS PHILIPPINES ENDED WITH BRAWL

You got it all: basketball, cheap-shots, flying elbows and mineral water bottles, and finally, blood. The game featuring host Taiwan NT and defending champion Philippines ended with the biggest brawl in recent Jones Cup memory, resulting one of the Taiwan player and a fan injured.

Chief official ruled Taiwan won 66-42, the score when the brawl took place. This is the first brawl since 1987, when Taiwan eangaged in a similar fight with long time rival South Korea.

With 4:03 remaining in the game, Taiwan's Lo Shing-Liang was fouled and suddenly the players of both sides, including Philippines' assistant coach and trainer, stormed onto the court and threw punches at each other. Hundreds of fans also threw down mineral water plastic bottles from the stands. The whole gymnasium exploded into a warzone.

Philippine players then threw the bottles back into the stands and hit a female fan on the forehead. Taiwan's Chou Hung-Yu was hit on the forehead also. Both were sent to the hospital immediately.

According to one of the local TV station's report, Philippines' Joey Mente, who threw punches first and started the fight, was mildly injured and was sent to the hospital, too.

With Taiwan having slight home court advantage, Philippines found itself trailing 8-20 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half and their temper started to takeover. Coaches complained and shouted with every foul call. Players started taking cheapshots at Taiwan NT. Chiu Chih-Yi of Taiwan answered back with a flagrant foul minutes later, just to make things worse.

After that the Philippine players looked like they'd rather fight and hit than play basketball. Its coaching staff finally drew a technical foul complaining a taunting act by Cheng Chih-Lung went unnoticed by both refs with 52.6 seconds before halftime, when they trail by 20 with the unbelievable score of 25-45.

Although the referees warned both teams to tone down their behaviour and physical play before second half tipoff, tension's still high. Less than 5 minutes later, Santamaria confronted Taiwan PG Yen Shin-Shu again. Finally the bomb exploded with 4:03 left. Joey Mente , who had been going at several Taiwan players earlier, attacked Huang Chun-Hsiung from his back, resulting the brawl.

Chinese Taipei Basketball Association immediately released an official statement. CTBA stated that it felt sorry for the whole incident and the injured players and fans. It promised to send the addtional police to ensure Philippines players' safety and prohibited fans carrying any plastic and metal bottles from now on.

At the same time, former CTBA president Wang Jen-Da criticized Philippines' rough play and the unbelievable bahaviour that threw the bottles at fans. He said CTBA may consider not inviting Philippines to Jones Cup after this year. Wang had asked Taiwan coach Chen Yi-Fei
at halftime not to play Chiu Chih-Yi and Cheng Chih-Lung, who both had committed hard fouls earlier, in the second half. And coach Chen followed his idea.

It's a wide belief that Philippines plays a street-style basketball with unsportsmanlike cheapshot. Today they prove it again. They won the fight but lost the game, failing to advance to the final four. Selecting Iloilo to represent the MBA and the Philippines looks like a not-so-good decision.

Taiwan:Lo Shing-Liang 16p, Chou Hung-Yu 12p..team fouls 16, 5-6 FT
Philippines:Singson 11p...team shooting 11-40 from 2PT range, 4-13 from 3PT, 8-16 FT..team fouls 13


Taiwan National Second 81-37 Soweto Panthers
Taiwan National Second:Chen Jian-Chou 19p

South Korea 62-53 New Zealand
South Korea:Cho Sung-Wo 13p, Cho Sang-Hyun 13p, Kang Dong-Hee 11p, 5rb, 4a, Hur Jae 4p, 5rb, 8a
New Zealand:Peter Pokai 11p,6rb, Robert Hickey 10p, Pero Cameron 6p, 12rb

Standing thru August 4
Group A
Taiwan NT 3-0
Costa Rica 1-1
Philippines 1-2
Bahrain 0-2

Group B
South Korea 2-0
New Zealand 1-1
Taiwan National Second 1-1
Soweto Panthers 0-2

Tuesday, August 03, 1999

1999 Jones Cup Report

Game 1:New Zealand NT 97-30 Soweto Panthers

It's like Goliath vs. David, Men vs. Boys. New Zealand took advantage of its height and humiliate the undersized Soweto Panthers 97-30 in their Jones Cup debut. All New Zealand players scored at least 4 points, with 19-year-old guard Kirk Penney's 16 leading the way.

Seven-foot centers Tony Rampton and Robert Hickey led New Zealand to a huge rebounding dominance, 54-21, and created numerous fast break oppurtunities for their teammtes. New Zealand took a quick 47-18 halftime lead and put the game out of reach.

Soweto Panthers' performance at both ends of the floor showed why it's only a club team. Sipho Mabeka, who scored 10 points, was the only player reaching double figure.

Game 2:Philippines 91-74 Bahrain

Philippines finally played its best twenty minutes of basketball in the Jones Cup and completed a come-from-behind victory vs Bahrain NT, 91-74. Philippines is now 1-1.

Philippines, which trailed 37-38 in the half, outscored Bahrain NT 54-36 in the second half. Vincente Hizon tallied 18p, 5rb and 3 assists. Ronald Magtulis again turned in a solid performance with 13 points. Alejandro Lim Jr. contributed 12 points. Ageless Elpidio Villanmin
provided 8 points and 7 rebounds in 23 minutes.

Philippines surprisingly faced a deciplined halfcourt offense from Bahrain NT. Bahrain's Nooh Akber, who scored game-high 20 points, repeatedly hurt the Filipinos from the wing. Strong Ahmed Malalla mixed it up in the paint, on the other hand. Malalla finished with 13 and 6.

With assistman Dale Singson directing the way, Philippines finally controlled the tempo with a 15-7 spurt in the first four minutes in the second half and led by double figures. Bahrain's fatigue made things worse for them afterward. They were never able to threaten Philippines from that point on.

Game 3:Taiwan National 65-61 Costa Rica

Favorite Taiwan NT survived another scare in two days, edging Costa Rica 65-61 and became the first team to win two straight games in the Jones Cup. Lo Shing-Liang led Taiwan NT with 19 points, including three back-breaking three-pointers in the second half.

Taiwan NT clinged to 32-29 halftime lead by making 17 of 26 foul shots in the first twenty minutes, although they couldn't find the basket. Costa Rica fought back to lead 47-44 with 10 minutes remaining with their frontlines' relentless offensive rebounding. Orlando Daily and Andres Leandro(205cm) time and time again helped Costa Rica with their second shot opportunities.

"Wonder Boy" Lo Shing-Liang knocked down two tying three-pointers less in three minutes, then swished another one while fouled by Costa Rica defender. He completed the four-point play with 4 minutes remaining to boost the lead to five points and make Taiwan NT have an easier breathing room.

Cheng Chih-Lung scored 17. Huang Chun-Hsiung scored 10, including two vicious dunks that excited the crowd. Chu Chih-Chinturned in 7p and 7rb.

Jones Cup Standing
Group A
Taiwan NT 2-0
Costa Rica NT 1-1
Philippines 1-1
Bahrain NT 0-2

Group B
South Korea NT 1-0
New Zealand NT 1-0
Taiwan Second 0-1
Soweto Panthers 0-1

Monday, August 02, 1999

1999 Jones Cup Report

Game 1:Costa Rica 70-58 Philippines

Underrated Costa Rica stunned defending champion Philippine 70-58 in the opening game of the 22nd R. Williams Jones Cup International Basketball Tournament.

Costa Rica used its frontline advantage and led as many as 18 points. Hotshooting of Jorge Arias, who exploded for 22p and 9rb, kept Filipino still one step behind in the second half. Orlando Daily(194cm) and Andres Leandro(205cm) netted 13 each.

On the other hand, cold shooting Philippine never recover from early double digit deficit. Trailing 58-59 with 2:30 remaining, two ill-time turnovers cost them the first chance to take the lead. Philippines collapsed in the final minute.

Philippines shot 11-39 from two-point range, 5-14 from three-point range and committing 14 turnovers. Ronald Magtulis and Dale Singson led with 11 points each. Vincente Hizon scored 10 points.

Iloilo players demonstrated dazzling one-on-one skills but engaged too much in isolations, scored only 8 points in the first 10 minutes and trailed 8-25. Costa Rica's Orland Daily had three monter dunks in the same span. Hizon's three-pointer at the buzzer cut the deficit
to 31-38 at halftime.

Philippine regained its form in the second half, quick penetration resulted in numerous free throw chances and gradually crawling back. Magtulis scored seven consecutive points and led Philippine rallying to 58-59, when Hizon committed his fifth fouls and left the game.

Costa Rica's Daily grabbed 9 rebounds and Leandro grabbed 8 also.

Philippines:Singson 11p(4-15),5rb,1a..Magtulis11p(4-7),4rb,2a...Hizon 10p(3-10),3rb...Aquino 9p...Santamaria 6p...Villamin 5p...Mente 4p...Dominic Uy 2p

Game 2: South Korea 93-89(OT) Taiwan National Second

Defending Asian champion South Korea was pushed by Taiwan's youngsters to the last minute and survived another shocker. South Korea , which trailed by as many as 15 in the first half, was led by Cho Sung-Won's 25 points, coupled with Seo Jang-Hoon's 22 and Hyun Joo-Yup's 17. 34 year-old Hur Jae finished with mediocre 11 points.

Former Korean national coach Cheng Kong-Hee, the technical advisor for Taiwan National Second, used his knowledge on Korean basketball and help Taiwan National Second cut off Korea's passing game. Lin Jia-Huang made 4 three-pointers in the first half, totaling five in the game and led Taiwan National Second with 25 points. Chang Hsian-Min scored 21.

Game was tied with 78-78 in the end of regulation after three foul shots by Taiwan National Second with 0.3 seconds remaining.

Game 3: Taiwan National 65-56 Bahrain National

Chu Chih-Chin exposed Bahrain's lack of height with 14 points to lead the balanced-scoring Taiwan National pass Bahrain. It's almost like an automatic win for Taiwan. However, local media was worried about their NT's second-tier performance.

(NOTE)
CTBA changed Jones Cup's semifinal format to single round robin yesterday to ensure Taiwan and South Korea meet at least once in the final four. Under the new format, four semifinal team play each other once before the top two winning teams going to the final.

The original semi format was A1 vs B2 and B1 vs A2 with winners advancing to the championship game.

Sunday, August 01, 1999

1999 Jones Cup Preview

South Korea NT demonstrated its deadly outside shooting during pre-game team practice and looked like the team to beat in the 1999 R. Williams Jones Cup Tournament, which starts action today(Aug.2)

6-3 lefty guard Hur Jae, who had been expelled from the NT because of numerous off-court problems, is back on the team and became the media darling in the press conference yesterday(July 31).

Taiwan basketball fans are familiar with 34-year-old Hur Jae mainly because he broke their heart a ton of times by leading South Korea pass Taiwan NT in several Asian tournaments.

The DUAL between Hur Jae and local star Cheng Chih-Lung is highly anticipated by local fans and media. Both play the same position in shooting guard/small forward, possess unstoppable scoring ability and showmanship. And both were named to Jones Cup All-Star Team a record six times.

Defending champion Philippines sends Iloilo Megavoltz of MBA to this year's Jones Cup. However Iloilo did not draw too much attention prior to the tournament because Taiwan is not familiar with the newly MBA, which is just in its second year. CENTENNIAL TEAM, consisted of PBA superstars, dominated Jones Cup last year and won it all eventually. Every Philippines game was sold out thanks to many Filipinos working in Taiwan. Filipino fans screamed thru the whole game and held cardboards to support their hometown heros. Whether we'll see this again is remained to be seen.

Among the other participating teams, New Zealand took a big hit by the absence of 6-11 center Sean Marks, who's in Toronto Raptors' summer league team right now. New Zealand is also the team everybody doesn't know about because it did not participate too many tournaments in Asia.

Costa Rica visited Taiwan for the second year in a row and look for improving their fifth place finish last year, with only five players on last year's roster. South Africa's Soweto Panthers, Bahrain NT and Taiwan National Second are expected to be out of the semifinal also.

At this moment, the favorites to squeeze into the final four are South Korea, New Zealand, Philippines and the home team Taiwan NT.

Wednesday, July 28, 1999

Iran Backs Out, Bahrain In

Iran National pulled out of the tournament at the last minute for unspecified reasons and
was replaced by Bahrain National, which is in the same group with Taiwan in the 20th
Asian Basketball Championship in August. I'w still trying to get the Bahrain roster.

Following is the Jones Cup's day-by-day schedule:

Group A:Taiwan National, Iloilo, Costa Rica, Soweto Panthers
Group B:Taiwan National Second, Bahrain, New Zealand, South Korea


August 2
1600 Taiwan National Second-Bahrain
1740 Iloilo(MBA)-Soweto Panthers(South Africa)
1920 Opening Ceremony
1950 Taiwan National-Costa Rica

August 3
1630 New Zealand-South Korea
1810 Iloilo-Costa Rica
1950 Taiwan National-Soweto Panthers

August 4
1630 South Korea-Bahrain
1810 Taiwan National Second-New Zealand
1950 Taiwan National-Iloilo

August 5
1630 Costa Rica-Soweto Panthers
1810 New Zealand-Bahrain
1950 Taiwan National Second-South Korea

August 6
1630 A4-B4(7th & 8th place)
1810 B1-A2(Semifinal I)
1950 A1-B2(Semifinal II)

August 7
1630 A3-B3(5th & 6th place)
1810 Semi I loser-Semi II loser(3rd & 4th place)
1950 Semi I winner-Semi II winner(Final)
2150 Closing Ceremony

Bahrain National Roster
Murtadha Abbas 26 G 172/85
Mahmood Nowrooz 20 G 186/72
Mohamed Malek 20 G 185/82
Ayyoob Ghuloom 24 G 179/69
Hussain Qaheri 23 G 165/67
Abdul Majeed Norooz 28 F 194/82
Mohamed Abdul Rasool 21 G 186/75
Yaser Bunafoor 27 F 190/85
Nooh Akber 31 F 187/86
Hassan Nasaif 24 C 196/90
Osama Ateeq 29 C 193/95
Ahmed Malalla 28 F 188/107
Headcoach: Salman Ramadan

Monday, July 26, 1999

22nd R. Williams Jones Cup Men's Team Rosters

(Name, Age, Position, Height/Weight)

Taiwan National
Chou Chun-San 30 G 175/75
Yen Hsin-Shu 23 G 183/75
Chu Chih-Chin 30 C 198/98
Lee Yun-Shian 28 G 190/85
Chou Hun-Yu 23 F 195/88
Cheng Chih-Lung 30 G 191/85
Lo Shin-Liang 28 G 182/80
Chen Hsin-An 19 F 193/89
Huang Chun-Hsiung 28 F 201/94
Wu Chih-Wei 23 C 202/92
Lin Shin-Hwa 24 C 199/90
Chiu Chi-Yi 24 G 180/70
Hsu Chih-Chao 25 F 190/85
Lai Kuo-Hong 25 C 198/95*
Kuo Tien-Lung 25 G 188/85*
Headcoach:Chien Yi-Fei
*Both likely will be dropped because of injury and other unidentified reasons

Taiwan National Second
Hung Chan-Chin 24 F 190/100
Chen Chih-Chun 22 G 183/74
Hsiung Jen-Cheng 27 F 192/90
Chen Hui 21 G 185/82
Huang Bao-Syh 23 G 180/70
Lin Chia-Huang 24 G 186/80
Chang Chih-Feng 18 G 183/80
Chang Hsien-Min 23 G 184/79
Yang Che-Yi 21 F 193/81
Wei Yung-Tai 21 F 193/80
Lin Che-Wei 19 F 197/83
Chen Chien-Cho 22 F 190/90
Lee Fung-Yung 19 F 198/90
Chung Shiao-Tze 20 F 192/85
Lee Chi-Yi 21 F 198/85
Hsian Wei-Feng 21 C 195/88
Wang Yi-Jen 25 C 195/88
Headcoach:Tean Jia-Shiang

South Korea
Choo Seung-Gyun 25 F 193/90
Kang Dong-Hee 33 G 180/91
Hyun Joo-Yup 24 F 195/105
Cho Sung-Won 28 G 180/77
Cho Sang-Hyun 23 F 190/88
Hur Jae 34 G 188/88
Kim Yung-Man 27 F 193/86
Seo Jang-Hoon 25 C 207/105
Lee Sang-Min 27 G 183/77
Lee Eun-Ho 24 C 197/94
Chung Kyung-Ho 29 C 203/100
Park Jae-Hon 26 C 203/98
Headcoach:Shin Sun-Woo

New Zealand National
Jud Flavell 26 G 186/78
Andrew Parke 27 F 201/100
Tony Rampton ? C 214/104
Brad Riley 25 G 198/87
Mark Dickel 23 G 185/80
Paul Henare 20 G 180/91
Michael Thompson ? ? ?/?
Kirk Penney 19 F 194/89
Chris Tupu 31 G 170/74
Ralph Lattimore 32 G 193/91
Kent Mori 28 G 191/90
Phillip Jones 25 G 196/91
Robert Hickey 25 C 214/119
Peter Pokai 34 C/F 202/132
Pero Cameron 25 F 200/126
Headcoach:Keith Mair

Costa Rica National
Henry Martinez 24 F 185/?
Jimmy Garcia 31 G 170/?
Blass Martinez 41 F 187/?
Leonardo Smith 25 C 199/?
Clifford Smith 19 G 194/?
Harry Montoya 26 F 198/?
Hermann Robertson 35 G 195/?
Jorge Arias 33 F 190/?
Marlon Pinnock 33 F 198/?
Marlon Samuels 26 F 188/?
Orlando Daily 25 G 194/?
Andres Leandro 29 C 205/?
Headcoach:Jaime Pena

Mecer Soweto Panthers(South Africa)
Quinton Denyssen 19 C 204/82
Thabo Mabulelong 25 G 156/64
Tertius Phetla 23 G 192/70
Eric Makwela 26 G 185/72
Gordon Mphomane 20 F 195/85
Thabo Serobe 25 G 155/62
Tshwantsho Melato 20 F 195/73
Kenneth Motaung 21 G 198/76
Thabang Kgwedi 21 F 198/82
Sfiso Ncgobo 21 G 189/84
Sipho Mabeka 27 G 172/68
Kgotso Motsoarateu 22 C 210/73
Headcoach:Jonathan Dim

Iloilo Megavoltz(MBA, Philippines)
Dale Singson ? G 183/?
Ronald Magtulis ? F 193/?
Riolito Lura ? G/F 188/?
Adriano Polistico ? C 201/?
Elpidio Villamin ? C/F 191/?
Jose Miguel Santamaria ? F 191/?
Quintellano Literal ? G 178/?
Joey Mente ? G 180/?
Vincente Hizon ? G/F 188/?
Harmon Codinera ? C/F 196/?
Francis Aquino ? G 183/?
Dominic Uy ? F 193/?
Aljerandro Lim ? F 191/?
Headcoach: Danny Gavieres

Iran National
Pooya Tadjik 20 C 200/?
Seyed Ali Madjlesien 20 G 192/?
Seyed Heybatollah Ayoubi 20 G/F 189/?
Omid Safi 19 G 184/?
Babak Moradi Hamedani 20 F 193/?
Iman Zandi 20 G 186/?
Mohammed Reza Eslami Ali Abadi 20 G 185/?
Kamran Jamshidvand 20 F 187/?
Hassan Shahsovand 20 C 212/?
Jalal Hesami 20 C/F 199/?
Majid Barani Lanbani 20 C 204/?
Ahmad Seidi 20 C 200/?
Headcoach:Saeed Fathi

*Players' age may be incorrect, however this is the official information released from Chinese Taipei Basketball Association(CTBA)

Sunday, July 25, 1999

CBA Elite Four Tournament

7/25
Finals: CBA White Team 83-80 Taiwan National
Underdog CBA White Team, which mostly conprised of Yulon and Mars' veteran players, uspet Taiwan NT just like coach Chun Chi-Mun predicted prior to the tournament. 33 year-old F/G DongFan Che-Ter, who scored 20 points, was named tournament MVP.

White Team used a 16-2 spurt early in the first quarter to a quick 21-7 lead and control the game with a 15-0 run in mid fourth quarter. American forward Tremaine Wingfield led the team with 23 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.

Again, Taiwan NT relied on perimeter shots too much. Lo Shing-Liang's 24 points and Yen Shin-Shu's 18 could not stop White Teams' brilliant teamwork. It's clear the weakest area for Taiwan NT at this moment is the inside game. They will need a lot of hardwork before leaving for Japan's Asian Championship.

Consolation: CBA Red Team 106-92 Taiwan National Second
Professional players' experience and physical play were too much for Taiwan National Second to overcome. Joe Temple again exploded for 36 points(10-18 FG, 14-14 FT) and Conant Chu knocked down 21 points to lead the Red Team defeating NT Second for the socond time in the
tournament. F/G Hsu Chi-Chao paced the NT Second with 30 points. F Chen Jian-Chou tallied 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals in 26 minutes.


7/23
Semifinal Game 2:Taiwan National(#1) 99-93 Taiwan National Second(#4)
Taiwan NT survived after the first 24-minute scare and reached the chamionship game as expected. Led by Lo Shi-Liang's 24 points(6-10 3PT) and Chou Hong-Yu's 20 points, Taiwan NT rebound from 44-51 deficit in halftime and completed a come-from-behind win. Two top young guards,Yen Shin-Shu and Chiu Chih-Yi, tallied 16 points apiece.

Taiwan National Second's strong inside attack(16 ORB) gave them the halftime lead, but inexprience again caused them the game.Center Lin Shin-Hua led the team with 23 points and 8 rebounds, while forward Chen Jian-Chou came up with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

7/22
Semifinal Game 1:CBA White Team(#2) 95-89 CBA Red Team(#3)
Tremiane Wingfield scored 36 points on 15-20 shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds, winning the showdown with Red Teams' Joe Temple, who scored 27, and led White Team reaching the tournament final. He got help from his teammates also. Veteran Tsai Fu-Chai scored 18 and Chiu Chun-Ji turned in 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Tournament Notes:
Tremaine Wingfield finished second in MVP voting...He will head back to the States and try to work out a deal with a Spanish team...Joe Temple likely will join Philippines' Purefood(PBA)...

Friday, July 23, 1999

22nd William Jones Cup Primer

Place:Taipei, Taiwan
Venue:Taipei Physical Education College Gymnasium(Capacity:3500)

Men's Competition:August 2-August 7
Participating Teams(8)
Group A:Taiwan National
Iloilo Megavoltz(Metropolitan Basketball Association, Philippines)
Costa Rica National
South Africa National
Group B:Taiwan National Second Team
Iran National
New Zealand National
Korea National

Competition System:
Teams divided to two groups, playing a single-round robin preliminary
round to determine the ranking. Top two teams advance to semi-finals.
In the Semi-finals it will be B1 vs A2 and B2 vs A1, with winners
advancing to the championship game. Losers play for third place. Teams
that fail to advance play a consolation round(5th-8th).

Among the participating teams, Taiwan National, Korea National and Iran
National will head for Asian Championship held in Fukuoka, Japan(August
28-September 5) right after the tournament.

Women's Competition:July 27-July 31
Participating Teams:(5)
Taiwan National
Canada National
New Zealand National
Japan National
Australia National

Competition System: Single round robin to decide the final ranking.

Monday, July 19, 1999

CBA Elite Four Tournament

July 14--Taiwan National 96-92 CBA Red Team
Taiwan National: Lo Shin-liang 23p(5-9 3PT), Chen Hsin-an 21p, Huan Chun-shiung 12p, 9rb, 4a
CBA Red: Joe Temple 35p(14-26 FG), 6rb, Conant Chu 10p, Sun Kuo-chan 9p,11rb,4a

(Note)5-11 Conant Chu is an American-born Chinese who played college ball in US Division II
UC-Davis. He joined CBA's Hong-kuo Elephants in 1994 and played pro ball in Taiwan ever since.
He is a backup PG both in UC-Davis and Hong-kuo.

July 15--CBA White Team 115-108 National Second Team
CBA White: Tremain Wingfield 21p(9-14FG), 8rb, Lin Chen-ta 16p
National Second Team: Chen Chen-cho 18p, Lin Shin-hua 15p, Chen Hui 15p

July 17--CBA White 84-83 CBA Red
CBA White: Dongfang Che Ter 21p, Cho Hi-jun 18p, Tremain Wingfield 7p,3a
(Wingfield played only 7 minutes because of sprained ankles.)
CBA Red: Joe Temple 28p,16rb, Conant Chu 17p
Taiwan National 112-97 National Second
Taiwan National: Lo Shin-liang 34p(7-11 3PT), Cho Hong-yu 18p, Chiu Chi-yi 17p
National Second: Shan Wei-fan 24p,8rb

July 18--CBA Red 92-89 National Second
CBA Red: Joe Temple 27p,8rb, Sun Kuo-chan 15p,6rb
National Second: Lin Chia-huang 19p, Chen Jian-cho 19p,10rb
Taiwan National 105-80 CBA White
National:Lo Shin-liang 24p(10-16 FG), Huang Chun-shiung 22p,12rb
CBA White: Chen Tze-min 17p,6rb, Dongfang Che Ter 13p(Wingfield DNP-injury)


Preliminary Games Standing
Taiwan National(3-0), CBA White(2-1), CBA Red(1-2), National Second(0-3)

Second Round Games next week:
Game1:#1 Taiwan National vs. #4 National Second, Game2:#2 CBA White vs. #3 CBA Red
Winners advance to championship game, losers settle for consolation game

League update
During the CBA Elite Four Tournament, several team managers expressed their concerns toward the league's slow re-structure development. It's believed the owners had reached a tentative agreement back in May to re-start the league in November. While numerous players' contracts expire this summer and the future is nowhere to be found, team managers still don't know how to approach
their players for contract negotiation.

Player News
19-year-old sensation Chen Hsin-an received his first U.S. college recruiting letter from Cal State-Fullerton last week. 6-3 1/2 Chen, nicknamed "Prince of Dunk", hopes he can be the first Taiwan basketball player to compete in NCAA division I. Cal State-Northridge and University of Pittsburgh are also interested in Chen.

Already dubbed as "Taiwan basketball savior", Chen Hsin-an was named "Most promising junior players in Asia" by Asian Basketball Confederation in 1998, along with China's 7-5 giant Yao Ming.

Tuesday, July 13, 1999

Red Team Wins Windy City Hoop Festival

With import Joe Temple's 34 points leading the way, Red Team defeated White Team 89-87 in the " Windy City Hoop Festival " on July 11th. Tremaine Wingfield paced the White Team with a 33 points, 16 rebounds effort.

The exhibition game marked the first time since mid-March, when the CBA(Chinese Basketball Alliance) suspended its season indefinitely, that a game consisted of all-pro players is played in Taiwan. The game was played in Sinchu, a.k.a. " Windy City " because of its year round
strong wind.

Joe Temple(U. of San Diego) scored ten quick points in the first quarter, helping the Red Team to 48-46 halftime lead. His combination of penetrating and red-hot outside shooting(6-11 3PT) proved too hard for White Team to overcome one-on-one.

Tremaine Wingfield(U. of Texas) used his relentless style of play as usual. His game-high 9 offensive rebound and numerous putbacks underneath helped White Team clinged to single-digit deficit throughout the game. Wingfield's last shot with 3 seconds remaining narrowly missed the rim.

The local CBA players who had been selected to the national team did not participate because they are in the pre-Asian Championship training camp right now.

Temple and Wingfield are the only two imports in Taiwan at this moment. They will accompany Red and White team, respectively, in the 4-team "CBA Elite Four Tournament"(July 14-25) to play the National Team and Natinal Second Team. CBA and CTBA(Chinese Taipei Basketball Association) jointly organize the tournament to help National Team's training while keep testing the local fans' response for CBA's resurgence.

Rumors say the league will be back in action in the end of the year.