Sunday, January 13, 2002

Chen Hsin-an Will Practice with NBDL Team

Chen Hsin-an, who led Yulon to 2001-02 President Cup title last week, will have a chance to fulfill his longtime dream - going to America, even he only gets to practice with an NBDL team for two to three weeks.

Mobile Revelers head coach Sam Vincent decided to invite Chen Hsin-an for a short training with the team, from mid-January to early February. Chen will practice with the Revelers in Mobile, Alabama, and see what he compares to the American minor league players. However, Chen will not play in games and travel with the team to road games.

Going to America has been a longtime dream for Chen Hsin-an, who thought about attending U.S. colleges and play in the NCAA two years ago. NIKE Taiwan, who signs Chen to a sneaker contract, also managed to earn Chen a spot in 1999 NIKE HOOP SUMMIT. But Chen was practicing with Taiwan NT for the preparation of ABC Championship at the time, and NT coaching staff would not let him go to U.S. for the game.

Sam Vincent said he would love to establish a long-term and consistent relationship with CTBA. If the first step of Chen's training tour goes well, he wouldn't mind setting up a coach clinic in Taiwan or taking his team to the annual Jones Cup in the future.

Wednesday, January 09, 2002

President Cup Playoffs Stats

■Finals Stats (4 games)
Yulon
Chen Hsin-an 21p, 8.8rb, 2.8a ; Chou Hong-yu 17.3p, 8.5rb ; Chiu Chi-yi 15p, 3.3rb, 3.3a ; Chiu Tsun-chih 8.8p, 7rb ; Wei Yong-tai 7.5p, 3.3rb ; Chao Jia-chun 1.5p, 4.8rb, 3a

Jutai Tech
Yang Yu-min 20.8p, 3.7rb, 4.7a ; Shan Wei-fan 11p, 7.3rb, 3a ; Wu Jen-jay 9p ; Liao Wei-chen 8.8p, 5.2rb

■Third-place Series Stats (2 games)
BCC Mars
Lin Jia-huang 21p, 4rb, 4a ; Lee Chi-yi 19.5p, 12rb, 2blk ; Chen Huei 8p, 7.5rb, 5.5a, 3.5s ; Yang Che-yi 7p, 8.5rb, 3a

Dacin
Tien Lei 19.5p, 9rb, 3a, 2s, 2.5blk ; Chang Chi-feng 14p, 7.5rb, 4a ; Huang Chih-chun 13.5p, 4rb, 2s ; Yao Jun-jay 5p, 6.5rb

2001-02 President Cup Final Standings

Taiwan A-League President Cup
Preliminary Round
Team
W-L
Yulon
12-2
BCC Mars
9-5
Jutai Tech
8-6
Taiwan Beer
7-7
Dacin
6-8
Bank of Taiwan
6-8
Military
5-9
Yi-tong
3-11
Second Round
Yulon 2-0 Yi-tong
BCC Mars 2-0 Military
Jutai Tech 2-1 BOT
Dacin 2-1 Taiwan Beer
Semifinals
Yulon 2-0 Dacin
Jutai 2-0 BCC Mars
3rd Place Series
Game 1:Mars 69-66 Dacin
Game 2:Mars 81-64 Dacin
Finals
Game 1:Yulon 70-61 Jutai
Game 2:Jutai 79-75 Yulon
Game 3:Yulon 87-65 Jutai
Game 4:Yulon 79-69 Jutai

Taiwan A-League President Cup
Final Placings
Rank
Team
1
Yulon
2
Jutai Technology
3
BCC Mars
4
Dacin Construction
5
Bank of Taiwan
6
Yi-tong Trust Agency
7
Taiwan Beer
8
Military

Tuesday, January 08, 2002

President Cup: Semifinals Report

Yulon and Jutai Tech set up their meet in the 2002 President Cup Finals, both advanced with a 2-0 semifinal win over Dacin and BCC Mars.

■MATCHUP A: Yulon 2-0 Dacin Construction
Game 1: Yulon 75-74 Dacin (Jan.1)
Dacin almost made an improbable comeback when PG Huang Chih-chun knocked down a game-tying three-pointer with 28 seconds left, tying the score at 74. But veteran Chiu Tsun-chih made one of two free-throws with 16.7 seconds remaining to decide the final score.

Yulon - Chen hsin-an 17p+8rb+5a, Chiu Tsun-chih 14p
Dacin - Tien Lei 13p+12rb+4a+3s, Chang Chi-feng 26p

Game 2: Yulon 90-79 Dacin (Jan.3)
Led by Chen Hsin-an's three three-pointers, Yulon pulled the game away in the second half and advanced to the finals. Dacin was denied from the finals once again, after finishing fourth in the A-League regular season last year.

Yulon - Chen Hsin-an 29p+6rb+6a, Chou Hong-yu 13p+16rb, Chiu Chi-yi 16p+7rb
Dacin - Lee Fong-yong 23p+10rb, Tien Lei 16p+8rb+6TO, Chang Chi-feng 21p, Yao Jun-jay 8p+8rb

■MATCHUP B: Jutai Tech 2-0 BCC Mars
Game 1: Jutai Tech 73-64 Mars (Jan.1)
Shan Wei-fan scored 8 points in the fourth quarter to lift Jutai in the thrilling win. Mars committed 21 turnovers in the loss.

Jutai - Shan Wei-fan 21p, Liao Wei-chen 18p
Mars - San Mao-sun 15p+9rb

Game 2: Jutai Tech 77-54 Mars (Jan.3)
Seldom-used G Wu Jen-jay came out of nowhere to score 17 points and led Jutai to its series-clinching victory. Mars picked the wrong time to be in a slump, once again had 25 turnovers and beatened up by the quicker Jutai Tech.

Jutai - Shan Wei-fan 20p, Yang Yu-min 14p+7a, Wu Jen-jay 17p
Mars - Yang Che-yi 15p

President Cup: Classification Games Report

Note: Single-round robin format to decide No.5 - 8 place.
■Classification Games Standings
Bank of Taiwan 3-0
Yi-tong Trust Agency 2-1
Taiwan Beer 1-2
Military 0-3

Final Placing
5. Bank of Taiwan ; 6. Yi-tong Trust Agency ; 7. Taiwan Beer ; 8. Military

■Game Summaries
Jan.1
Bank of Taiwan 98-92 Military
BOT - Lin Yu-shu 21p+14rb, Ho Sho-jen 19p
Military - Chen Chih-chun 22p, Ju Yong-hong 22p+14rb, Wang Yi-jen 19p, Yen Shin-shu 16p+8rb+8a

Yi-tong 99-91 Taiwan Beer
Yi-tong - Chiu Der-chih 35p+11rb, Shin Jin-chan 19p, Tan Bo-chan 13p+10rb
TB - Chen Wen-tsun 21p

Jan.2
Taiwan Beer 78-62 Military
TB - Yang Chih-hao 9p+10a
Military - Yan Shin-shu 19p+9rb+9a, Ju Yong-hong 17p+18rb

Bank of Taiwan 83-78 Yi-tong
BOT - Ho Sho-jen 29p+9rb, Lin Yu-shu 16p+10rb+4a, Shao Wei-jay 17p
Yi-tong - Tan Bo-chan 22p+4rb, Chiu Der-chih 18p+4rb

Jan.5
Bank of Taiwan 84-72 Taiwan Beer
BOT - Lin Yu-shu 18p+17rb, Lin Chun-fong 21p+12rb, Ho Sho-jen 16p+12rb, Chien Ming-fu 21p+7rb+7a
TB - Yang Chih-hao 17p+11rb

Yi-tong 85-69 Military
Yi-tong - Tan Bo-chan 16p+13rb, Chiu Der-chih 15p+11rb, Hu Yu-wei 17p, Shin Jin-chan 17p
Military - Wang Yi-jen 24p, Yen Shin-shu 17p+7rb, Chen Chih-chun 18p

President Cup: Mars Sweep Dacin for 3rd Place

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

President Cup Finals: Yulon Beat Jutai 3-1

Led by super talent Chen Hsin-an and veteran Chiu Tsun-chih, Yulon pounded Jutai Tech in Game 3 and 4 in the President Cup Finals, taking home the title after a 3-1 series win.

Chen Hsin-an turned in a MVP-like performance throughout the series, averaging 21 points and 8.8 rebounds. Chen scored 19 points in the first half of Game 4 away and made consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter of Game 3 to pull the game away.

197cm F Chiu Tsun-chih, who dates head coach Chien Yi-fei's daughter, had his best game in years, scoring 17 on 4 of 5 three-point shooting and pulled down 15 rebounds. He had 10 points in Game 3.

195cm F Chou Hong-yu (in my opinion, the most consistent and underrated player on the team) also played an important role. With center Wu Chih-wei injured, Chou became the major inside force for Yulon and averaged 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in the Finals. Time and time again he pulled down the critical rebound and buried his trademark mid-range jumper to keep the score out of reach for Jutai Tech.


■Game Summary
Game 4 (Jan.8): Yulon 79-69 Jutai (Half: 51-31)
Yulon jumped to a quick start, leading 30-16 after the first quarter on four three-pointers by Chen Hsin-an and Chiu Tsun-chih. Jutai struggled under Yulon's tenacious defense and saw the deficit increasing to 31-51 in halftime. The second half became meaningless. Yulon led by as many as 22 points. Jutai couldn't find their offensive rhythm all game long. Yang Yu-min was held to 25% shooting.

Yulon - Chen Hsin-an 21p+4rb+2a, Chiu Tsun-chi 17p (4-5 3PT)+15rb+4s+2blk, Chou Hong-yu 12p+5rb+3a, Wei Yong-tai 11p, Chiu Chi-yi 10p+6a
Jutai - Wu Jen-jay 19p, Yang Yu-min 17p (4-16 FG)+5rb+5a+6TO, Shan Wei-fan 13p+9rb, Liao Wei-chen 12p

Game 3 (Jan.7): Yulon 87-65 Jutai (Half: 48-39)
Within 10 minutes, Yulon turned a close game into a 20-point rout. Chen Hsin-an scored 11 of his 21 points in the third quarter, which Yulon outscored Jutai 26-6, and led Yulon to a 87-65 win in the decisive Game 3.

Trailing 21-25 after the first quarter, Chiu Chi-yi scored 14 in the second with Yulon regained control, leading 48-39 in halftime. Yulon tightened up its defense after losing Game 2 and limited Jutai SG Yang Yu-min to 7-15 shooting.

Yulon - Chen Hsin-an 21p+9rb+2a, Chiu Chi-yi 19p+5a, Wei Yong-tai 12p, Chiu Tsun-chi 10p, Chou Hong-yu 10p+9rb+4a
Jutai - Yang Yu-min 17p (7-15 FG), Shan Wei-fan 8p+6rb, Ha Hsiao-yuan 7p+8rb

Game 2 (Jan.6): Jutai 79-75 Yulon (Half: 41-37)
Yang Yu-min exploded for 32 points and made six straight free-throws in the last minute, Jutai edged Yulon 79-75 in Game 2 to even the series at 1-1.

Yulon, who entered the final quarter trailing 52-64, even the score at 75 all after Chou Jia-chun made 1 of 2 free-throws with 2:04 remaining. Yang Yu-min came up with a steal and made six straight foulshots in final moments. Yang made 4 of 6 three-pointers and was 10-11 on the free-throw line.

Jutai - Yang Yu-min 32p (9-19 FG, 10-11 FT)+5a, Liao Wei-chen 13p+12rb, Shan Wei-fan 6p+9rb+6a, Wu Jen-jay 11p
Yulon - Chen Hsin-an 26p (10-29 FG)+11rb+2a, Chou Hong-yu 18p (6-12 FG)+10rb, Chiu Chi-yi 17p, Chao Jia-chun 7rb+5a

Game 1 (Jan.5): Yulon 70-61 Jutai (Half: 36-29)
Chou Hong-yu had 29 points and 10 rebounds as Yulon beat Jutai 70-61 in the opening game of President Cup Finals. Chen Hsin-an also had 16 and 10 for Yulon.

Chou Hong-yu scored all 15 points in the opening 15-0 run in the first quarter, Yulon led from start to finish and faced little challenge from Jutai. Jutai's Yang Yu-min was limited to 6-18 shooting.

Yulon - Chou Hong-yu 29p (12-19 FG)+10rb, Chen Hsin-an 16p+11rb+5a, Chiu Chi-yi 14p
Jutai - Yang Yu-min 17p, Shan Wei-fan 17p+6rb, Lin Che-wei 10p+10rb

Friday, January 04, 2002

Top U-18 Prospects in Taiwan

Note -
**Players listed in this report must be born after January 1, 1984
**Taiwan's 3-year high school class: freshman, sophomore, senior
**Stats thru preliminary and second round


Big men and point guards are strong in this year's U-18 prospects pool, which is relatively weaker in wing players. Overall, I see this year's class is weaker than the past two years, especially when San-min's wing Chou Shi-yuan (190cm) and several players are over the 18-year-old age limit.

Tsai-shin HS's "Twin Tower" Tsun Wen-din (202cm) and Wu Dai-hao (201cm), who already appeared in the last U-18 evaluation, are still brilliant and improving. High school freshmen phenoms Wang Chuan-jian (193cm and growing) and Yen Jen-hong (195cm, San-min HS) are players with the best footwork in years. Keep an eye on these kids.

Also you have to take a look at 180cm PG Chen Shi-nian of Chian-shu HS, who passes with the court vision no one else has, has a strong body to mix it up a little and finish in the lane, although he is turnover-prone.

Listed below are the Super Eight of this year's U-18 prospects in Taiwan.
(DOB, School, Class, Ht./Wt., Position, Future Position)

TSUN WEN-DIN
(1984.7.6, Tsai-shin HS, Senior, 202cm/86kg, C, C/PF)
11.5p, 8.6rb, 3.8a, 3.8blk, 2.3s, 62% FG
Comment:
Obviously the most talented and complete bigman in this year's HBL...good high-post skills...one of four high school players in 2001 Taiwan NT, played in East Asian Games, Asian Championships and Jones Cup...skinny but plays smart...has a knack for blocking shots from weak side...can run the break...tremendous passing for a center...needs to bulk up, improve his footwork and mid-range shooting...

WU DAI-HAO
(1985.2.7, Tsai-shin HS, Sophomore, 201cm/98kg, PF, PF/SF)
9.6p, 7.1rb, 1.4blk, 55% FG
Comment:
A talented athlete with great jumping ability, speed and wingspan...selected to Taiwan NT as a high school sophomore in 2001, played in East Asian Games, Asian Championship and Jones Cup...aggressive on both ends of the court...his game shows no FEAR...has the potential to be a good 3 but needs to improve his shooting...

CHEN SHI-NIAN
(1984.4.8, Chian-shu HS, Senior, 180cm/74kg, PG, PG)
12.5p, 5.3rb, 6.6a, 3.5s, 6.0TO, 41% 3PT
Comment:
Best PG prospect in last couple of years...great poise, super court vision and awareness...great floor leader but a little bit turnover-prone...has a strong body that can finish in traffic...a "pass first, shoot second" old-fashion PG with under-estimated scoring ability...reminds observers of current NT lead guard Yen Shin-shu...good anticipation on defense...unimpressive foot speed

WANG CHUAN-JIAN
(1985.12.30, Kao-yuan HS, Freshman, 193cm/91kg, C, PF/SF)
15.5p, 8.2rb, 50% FG
Comment:
Lead Kao-yuan HS in scoring and rebounding as a freshman, making immediate impact in the first year...plays within his own game and let the game come to him...possesses the best footwork among this year's inside players...still growing, may have to switch to PF or even SF in the future...

YEN JEN-HONG
(1986.2.5, San-min HS, Freshman, 195cm/79kg, C, PF/SF)
9.9p, 6.2rb, 1.4blk
Comment:
Another outstanding freshman...an active inside player who plays with reckless abandon, especially on defense...sound footwork and inside moves but still raw offensively...has the potential to be a good PF, even SF, in the future...

LEE CHI-MING
(1984.1.31, Ping-tung HS, Senior, 175cm/71kg, SG, PG/SG)
22.4p, 3.6rb, 3.4a, 3.8s, 45% 3PT, 95% FT
Comment:
The most explosive and creative scorer - also one of the shortest - in HBL this year...dominated the opposition with his devastated crossover dribble and quickness...good shooting touch...you have to double-teaming to stop this little guy, even he is only 5-9 (175cm)...great anticipation on the passing lane and tenacious one-on-one defender, evidenced by his 3.8 steals per game...his stock skyrocketed as the season went on...will probably play at PG in the A-League, which makes observers worry about his future...

WU JUN-HSIUNG
(1984.8.26, Chian-shu HS, Senior, 197cm/90kg, C, PF)
12.5p, 8.9rb
Comment:
A late bloomer who doesn't show his talent until this year...one of Chian-shu's "Twin Tower" frontline, along with 200cm Wu Chih-yuan...more of a finesse-type player, needs to bang inside and hit the boards more...it will take some time for him to develop into a solid player in the next level...

CHANG YI-WEN
(1984.4.13, Tsai-shin HS, Senior, 183cm/75kg, PG, PG)
11.6p, 4.5rb, 3.8a, 3.8s
Comment:
The most reliable and versatile PG this year...does everything well on both ends of the court...good body and hand-eye coordination, rarely plays out of control...will be a solid PG, at least, in the next level for many years...

HONORABLE MENTION:
HU JIN-SHUN (1984.12.11, Kao-yuan HS, Senior, 185cm/88kg, PF, SG)
9.6p, 6.4rb
This former PF in junior high has the potential to be the strongest POWER GUARD.

CHEN TSE-WEI (1985.1.30, Nan-shan HS, Sophomore, 198cm/78kg, C, SF)
A disappointing sophomore year dropped him back on the list.

HUANG CHI-FENG (1984.3.12, Hsin-jun HS, Senior, 192cm/85kg, C, SF)
13.7p, 8.6rb, 58% FG
Plays center in high school, now it's time to switch to SF. Needs to improve his outside shooting.

LIAO JIAN-SHEN (1984.2.2, Tai-shan HS, Senior, 181cm/67kg, PG, PG)
8.6p, 4.3rb, 3.9a
The cat-quick, jumping-jack PG has a tons of potential but plays out of control sometimes.

Wednesday, January 02, 2002

Roundup: President Cup 2nd Round

There's no surprise here. No.1 seed Yulon and No.2 BCC Mars eliminated Yi-tong and Military 2-0 as expected and advanced to the President Cup semifinals. The only upset of the quarterfinal round came as Dacin, the No.5 seed, upset No.4 Taiwan Beer 2-1. No.3 Jutai Tech also advanced to the final four after a dogfight series, which saw several protests and confrontations with Bank of Taiwan.

MATCHUP SUMMARY

■(1) Yulon 2-0 (8) Yi-tong
Game 1 (Dec.28): Yulon 69-64 Yi-tong
Yulon, who's shocked by Yi-tong's center Tan Bo-chan, escaped in the 5-point win.
Yulon - Chou Hong-yu 20p+5rb, Chao Jia-chun 14p+8rb, Chen Hsin-an 6p+3rb+3a+3s
Yi-tong - Tan Bo-chan 24p+17rb, Chiu Der-chih 16p

Game 2 (Dec.29): Yulon 73-47 Yi-tong
Yulon - Kuo Tian-lung 14p, Wu Chih-wei 14p, Wei Yong-tai 10p+13rb, Chen Hsin-an 8p+6rb+3a+3s
Yi-tong - Lai Shin-hong 12p

■(5) Dacin Construction 2-1 (4) Taiwan Beer
Game 1 (Dec.28): Dacin 77-68 Taiwan Beer
Dacin - Tien Lei 12p+16rb+5a+3blk, Lee Fung-yong 17p+7rb, Chang Chih-fung 15p+10rb
TB - Lin Chi-jay 14p+11rb

Game 2 (Dec.29): Taiwan Beer 67-65 Dacin
Dacin made only 12 of 39 three-point attempts in the loss.
TB - Wu Yang-huei 16p, Yang Chih-hao 14p
Dacin - Tien Lei 19p+10rb+5s+2blk, Chang Chih-fung 13p+8rb

Game 3 (Dec.30): Dacin 92-74 Taiwan Beer
Dacin made 14 three-pointers as a team and pulled the game away in the 2nd quarter.
Dacin - Chang Chih-fung 23p, Tien Lei 12p+16rb+5a, Lee Fung-yong 14p, Huang Chih-chun 14p
TB - Yang Chih-hao 12p

■(2) BCC Mars 2-0 (7) Military
Game 1 (Dec.29): BCC Mars 74-57 Military
Mars made 11 of 22 three-point attempts and led from start to finish.
Mars - Lin Jia-huang 22p(6-8 3PT), Chen Huei 13p+7a+6s
Military - Ju Yong-hong 17p+10rb, Yen Shin-shu 16p+8rb+3a

Game 2 (Dec.30): BCC Mars 75-63 Military
A 4th quarter brawl didn't change the outcome. Chen Huei required more than 10 stitches after suffering a blow from teammate-to-be Yen Shin-shu.
Mars - Lin Jia-huang 18p, San Mao-sun 16p, Chen Huei 6p+6rb+4a
Military - Chen Chih-chun 16p

■(3) Jutai Tech 2-1 (6) Bank of Taiwan
Game 1 (Dec.29): Bank of Taiwan 79-74 Jutai Tech
Lin Chun-fung scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half to lead the BOT comeback.
BOT - Lo Da-wei 22p+8rb, Lin Yu-shu 16p+10rb+7a+4s, Lin Chun-fung 15p
Jutai - Yang Yu-min 23p, Shan Wei-fan 19p+12rb

Game 2 (Dec.30): Jutai Tech 112-73 Bank of Taiwan
Trailing 30-53 in halftime, BOT virtually gave up the game in the second half.
Jutai - Wu Chen-dao 24p, Wu Yung-jen 22p+11rb
BOT - Jian Min-fu 22p

Game 3 (Dec.31): Jutai Tech 95-69 Bank of Taiwan
Jutai limited BOT to 29% shooting in the lopsided win.
Jutai - Yang Yu-min 20p, Shan Wei-fan 20p, O-Yang Jin-hen 15p+10rb
BOT - Lin Yu-shu 24p+16rb, Ho Sho-jen 21p

SEMIFINAL MATCHUP (Best-of-Three)
No.1 Yulon vs. No.5 Dacin Construction
No.2 BCC Mars vs. No.6 Jutai Tech