Without Tien Lei, who is still recovering from his hand injury from a bike accident, Dacin opened its A-League season with a loss to Taiwan Beer, 75-80, last night. Defending champion Yulon followed with a hard-fought win over Jutai Tech, 71-67.
Lin Jia-shen banked in his only basket in the game with 26.8 seconds left to seal the victory for Taiwan Beer, who finished 6th in the President Cup. Dacin was without Tien Lei and Wu Dai-hao, who signed with the team but was unable to play last night because of personal engagement. Yulon, who almost blew a 15-point lead, overcame a furious rally by Jutai Tech with PG Chen Chih-chun's two late free-throws.
Former NT center Chu Chih-chin, who has been living in the State for almost two years, returned to Taiwan and hired as an assistant coach. Chu will focus on training Dacin's big men.
Div-II results
Tasi-shin Alumni 83-80 Fushian Hotel
NTCPE 82-76 Chinese Culture Univ.
Yitong 95-58 Tong-nan Institute of Technology