2002-03 A-League season concluded tonight as both the Finals and the 3rd-place series go down to the final deciding game.
Led by Finals MVP Chen Hsin-an's 17 points, Yulon beat Mars, 81-70, in the best-of-three series to win its fourth consecutive A-League title. Sharpshooter Yang Yu-ming had 30 points to lead Jutai past Taiwan Beer, 83-79, in the deciding game of the 3rd-place series.
Embarrassed by its Game 2 performance last night, Yulon came out with a fire in their eyes. Using a 15-0 run, Yulon jumped in front 29-13 in the end of the first quarter and pretty much set the tones of the game.
Mars cut the deficit down to 10 points in the middle of the 4th quarter, but Hong Chi-chao's three-point play put Mars away. Chen Chih-chung, who was held to 3 points last night, had a game-high 21 points.
Mars once again came up short, although is proved it's a better team in the first two games. Yang Che-yi led Mars with 19 points.
Taiwan Beer and Jutai didn't produce a record-breaking third cosecutive overtime game. On the contrary, Jutai Tech pulled in front early and led by as many as 20 points, as yang Yu-ming almost buried his every shot.
Taiwan Beer refused to quit. Just like previous games, Lin Chi-jay took over the game with his powerful one-on-one moves and cut the deficit down to two in the final two minute before bowing out. Lin Chi-jay paced Taiwan Beer with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Fast improving bigman Wu Chih-yuan had 17.
Finals Game 3: Yulon 81-70 Mars(Half 47-27)
Yulon - Chen Chih-chung 21p, Chen Hsin-an 17p+5rb+6a, Hong Chi-chao 15p+9rb, Tsun Wen-din 15p
Mars - Yang Che-yi 19p+7rb, Lai Kuo-hong 15p
3rd-place series Game 3: Jutai 83-79 Taiwan Beer(Half 47-31)
Jutai - Yang Yu-ming 30p, Ha Xiao-yuan 18p+13rb, O-Yang Jin-hen 18p
TB - Lin Chi-jay 22p+13rb, Wu Chih-yuan 17p, Wu yang-huei 14p