After all, the experience of Mars is too much for younger Dacin to overcome. BCC Mars sweep Dacin 2-0 in the best-of-three series and finishes as third-place in the 2001-02 President Cup.
Mars, who trailed in halftime of both games, rallied to hand Dacin consecutive heartbreakers with the help from hot-shooting Lin Jia-huang, who averaged 21 points in the series, and inside presence Lee Chi-yi, who had 39 points and 24 rebounds in two games.
19 years-old Tien Lei is Dacin's most consistent player and the biggest reason Dacin could hang with Mars in the first 20 minutes in both games. However, the lack of inside play and the inconsistency of outside shooting make Dacin lose its advantage in the second half.
Meanwhile, 32 years-old Cheng Chih-lung played his last game as a basketball player in Game 2 of the series. Cheng was elected as national legislator in the election last December. He will hang up his sneakers for good to concentrate on his political career.
Dacin finished fourth once again, following the same finish in 2001 A-League regular season. Mars, who was expected to advance to the finals, dropped from runner-up in 2001 regular season to third in the President Cup.
■Game Summary
Game 1 (Jan.5): Mars 69-66 Dacin (Half: 26-33)
Mars - Lin Jia-huang 18p (9-13 FG)+5a, Lee Chi-yi 16p+14rb+5a, Chen Huei 5p+9rb+3a
Dacin - Tien Lei 20p+10rb+5a+2s, Huang Chih-chun 18p, Chang Chi-feng 11p+6rb+5a, Yao Jun-jay 5p+9rb
Game 2 (Jan.6): Mars 81-64 Dacin (Half: 36-39)
Mars - Lin Jia-huang 24p+5rb, Lee Chi-yi 23p+10rb+2blk, Chen Huei 11p+6rb+8a+4s
Dacin - Tien Lei 19p+8rb+2s+5blk, Chang Chi-feng 17p+8rb, Cheng Chih-lung 6p+2rb+1a