Monday, May 26, 2003

Jones Cup will not be held this year

CTBA officially announced to day that the annual William Jones Cup Invitational Tournament will not be held this year, due to the SARS outbreak in Asia.

Thursday, May 22, 2003

CTBA announces NT roster

CTBA announces 2003 Taiwan NT roster this morning. While the roster hasn't changed that much, Chen Hsin-an doesn't get his suspension lifted and becomes the most surprsing absentee. Without him, Taiwan NT's hope in this year's ABC Championship is very slim.

Chen Hsin-an left the national team prior to the Asian Games last year and went to Sacramento King's pre-season training camp. He was suspended in national team competition for the year of 2003 by CTBA national team committee.

Rumors say his suspension will be lifted early because CTBA wants to see better results in the ABC Championship. However it doesn't happen.

**15-man NT roster(Po. Name Ht./Wt. DOB Age Team)
C Tsun Wen-din 204/90 1984/7/6 19 Yulon
C Wu Chih-wei 202/94 1976/7/31 26 Yulon
G Chen Chih-chung 182/80 1977/3/2 26 Yulon
G Hong Chi-chao 187/78 1982/2/13 21 Yulon#
G Yen Hsin-shu 183/75 1976/9/8 26 BCC Mars
F Lee Chi-yi 198/88 1978/10/27 24 BCC Mars
G Chen Huei 185/85 1978/4/17 25 BCC Mars#
F/G Yang Che-yi 193/85 1976/10/2 26 BCC Mars#
G Yang Yu-ming 180/73 1979/10/22 23 Jutai Tech
C/F Wu Chih-yuan 200/77 1983/10/24 19 Taiwan Beer#
F Lin Chi-jay 192/88 1982/6/11 20 Taiwan Beer
F Tien Lei 202/86 1983/6/1 20 Dacin Construction
C Wu Dai-hao 202/100 1985/2/7 18 Dacin Construction
G Chiu Chi-yi 180/78 1975/10/6 27 Military
F Ho Sho-jen 195/88 1983/2/15 20 Bank of Taiwan

Head coach: Lee Chin-chi(Military)
Assistant coach: Chou Hai-jun(Mars)

Average Height: 192.3 Age: 22.6
# - First appearance in senior men's NT

Taiwan NT will head to United States Basketball Academy(Eugene, Oregon) for a two week training tour on June, 23. The 15-man roster will be cut down to 12 prior to the tournament, which will be held in Harbin, China in September.

Thursday, May 15, 2003

A-League Finals stats

Finals: Yulon 2-1 Mars
-- Yulon:
Chen Hsin-an 15.7p, 7.3rb, 4a
Tsun Wen-din 13.7p, 9rb
Chen Chih-chung 12.7p, 3rb, 2.7a
Hong Chi-chao 9p

-- Mars:
Yang Che-yi 14.7p, 8rb
Lai Kuo-hong 11.7p, 5rb
Lin Jia-huang 11.7p
Yen Hsin-shu 9.7p, 4rb, 3.7a
Lee Chi-yi 8p, 9.3rb
Chen Huei 5p, 4rb, 5a

3rd-place Series: Jutai 2-1 Taiwan Beer
-- Jutai:
Yang Yu-ming 31.3p, 5.3rb, 3a
Hu Yu-wei 15.5p, 3.5rb(2 games)
Ha Xiao-yuan 12.7p, 9rb
Tan Bo-chan 6.7p, 9rb

-- Taiwan Beer:
Lin Chi-jay 24.3p, 12rb
Wu Yang-juei 17p, 5.7rb
Chen Shi-nian 12.3p, 4rb, 5a
Wu Chih-yuan 12.3p, 7rb
Yo Yu-lun 10p, 4.3rb, 3.3a
Chang Hsien-ming 9p, 3rb

2003 A-League All-Star Teams

(This is my pick. All stats are from preliminary round)

First Team
F Chen Hsin-an(Yulon) 16.3p, 6rb, 3a
F Lin Chi-jay(Taiwan Beer) 11.4p, 6.6rb, 2.1a, 1.57s
C Wu Dai-hao(Dacin) 14.5p, 9.2rb, 1.27blk
G Yang Yu-ming(Jutai) 23p, 3.6a, 1.71s
G Yen Hsin-shu(Mars) 12.8p, 5.4rb, 5.3a, 2.1s

Second Team
F Ho Sho-jen(Bank of Taiwan) 19.3p
F Yang Che-yi(Mars) 13.9p
C Tsun Wen-din(Yulon) 11.8p, 7.6rb, 1.93blk
G Chen Chih-chung(Yulon) 10.6p, 2.5rb, 3.6a, 2.86s
G Chen Shi-nian(Taiwan Beer) 12.2p, 4rb, 4.4a, 1.85s

Third Team
F Lee Fong-yong(Dacin) 12.9p, 6.8rb
F Chang Chi-feng(Dacin) 13.7p, 5.2rb, 1.79s
G Chien Min-fu(Military) 11.9p, 4.6rb, 5.8a, 1.64s
G Chiu Chi-yi(Military) 22p
G Hsu Hao-cheng(Bank of Taiwan) 7.6p, 5.1rb, 6.9a, 2.07s

Wednesday, May 14, 2003

Yulon wins fourth consecutive A-League title

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

Tuesday, May 13, 2003

Mars, Taiwan Beer even the series at 1-1

Showcasing its best defense of the year, Mars limited Yulon to a miserable 20-for-73 shooting and beat Yulon, 62-56, to even the A-League Finals at 1-1 last night (May 12th). Taiwan Beer and Jutai gave us the second straight overtime game, with Taiwan Beer edging Jutai, 103-96, and tied the best-of-three series.

Mars' outstanding team defense didn't give Yulon too many open looks from tipoff. And when they did get open, Yulon just can't find the basket all night, trailing by 21 at halftime. Yulon rallied in the final quarter, when they outscored Mars 15-2, but it's too late.

Jutai-Taiwan Beer game again was decided in overtime. Lin Chi-jay scored 9 of his 32 points in the extra five minutes as Taiwan Beer won this time, following the Game 1 overtime loss. Yo Yu-lun's fastbreak layup with 3 seconds remaining in regulation tied the game at 87 all and forced overtime.

Jutai Tech's Yang Yu-ming exploded for 43 points, the A-League season high, but it's not enough for a victory.

Finals Game 2: Mars 62-56 Yulon(Half 44-23)
Mars - Yen Hsin-shu 15p+5a, yang Che-yi 15p+12rb, Lin Jia-huang 9p
Yulon - Wu Chih-wei 12p+7rb, Tsun Wen-din 12p+9rb+5s, Chen Hsin-an 7p+8rb

3rd-place Series Game 2: Taiwan Beer 103-96(OT) Jutai(Half 44-49)
TB - Lin Chi-jay 32p(8-25FG, 16-19FT)+14rb, Chen Shi-nian 24p+6a, Yo Yu-lun 15p+6a
Jutai - Yang Yu-ming 43p(15-27FG, 5-8FT), Tan Bo-chan 9p+12rb

Saturday, May 10, 2003

A-League Preliminaries Final Standings

1. Yulon 14-0
2. Mars 11-3
3. Jutai 10-4
4. Taiwan Beer 6-8
5. Dacin 6-8
6. Bank of Taiwan 4-10
7. Military 3-11
8. Jin-jin Design 2-12

Chen Hsin-an: Yulon's "Mr. Clutch"

Chen Hsin-an had 12 points in the last 3:12 as Yulon overcame an 8-point deficit and edged Mars, 75-71, in Game 1 of the 2003 A-League Finals last night(May 9th). Yulon led 1-0 in the best-of-three series. In Game 1 of the 3rd-place series, Jutai beat Taiwan Beer, 98-86, in overtime.

Always surrounded by at least three Mars defenders, Chen Hsin-an was quiet in the first three quarters. But he once again came thru in crunch time. With 3 1/2 minutes to go, Yulon was down, 55-63. Chen finally broke free from Mars' defense and made three straight baskets -- including two three-pointers -- while added two free-throws.

Yulon, which hadn't got the lead since tipoff, rallied past Mars with the deciding 14-2 run.

Chen Hsin-an had 23 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Tsun Wen-din pulled down 11 boards and added 14 points. Chen Chih-chun also had 14 points for Yulon. Lin Jia-huang led Mars with 18 points. Lee Chi-yi had 15 and 14.

In the earlier matchup, Lo Jen-kun tied the score off an offensive rebound with 4.7 seconds remaining as Taiwan Beer extendeded the game into overtime, 82-82, with Jutai. But Jutai knocked down Taiwan Beer in the extra session with an unanswered 14-0 run and got away with the 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

With 21 seconds remaining when Jutai lead 82-80, Yang Yu-ming, who had 21 points in the game, missed both of his free-throws and the opportunity to go ahead with a four-point lead.

Taiwan Beer's Lin Chih-jay failed to made the first free-throw with 4.7 seconds to go and intentionally missed the second try. Lo Jen-qun came away with the offensive board and put in the tying basket.

But Taiwan Beer was out of sync after both of its point guards, Chen Shih-nian and Yo Yu-lun, fouled out. Jutai made this game looked easy after scoring 14 straight points.

Jutai's Hu Yu-wei had a breakout performance with 23 points on 10-for-16 shooting. Wu Yang-huei led TB with 25 points and 8 rebounds.

Finals Game 1
Yulon 75-71 Mars(halftime 28-39)
Yulon - Chen Hsin-an 23p+9rb, Tsun Wen-din 14p+14rb, Chen Chih-chun 14p ; Mars - Lin Jia-huang 18p, Lee Chi-yi 15p+14rb, Lai Kuo-hong 10p, Yang Che-yi 10p

3rd-place series Game 1
Jutai 98-86(OT) Taiwan Beer(halftime 43-43)
Jutai - Hu Yu-wei 23p, Yang Yu-ming 21+8rb, Jong Wei-kuo 16p+5a, Ha Xiao-yuan 11p+13rb ; TB - Wu Yang-huei 25p+8rb, Lin Chi-jay 19p+9rb, Chang Hsien-ming 13p, Wu Chih-yuan 10p+10rb

Monday, May 05, 2003

Yulon and Mars will battle in A-League Finals

With the second leg still one week to go, Yulon and Mars have locked up their seeds in the Finals. Yulon edged Jutai, 80-77, on May 4th to stay perfect in 13 games. Mars defeated Jutai the night before, 80-63. Jutai, who suffered consecutive losses in two nights, will likely grabbs the third place.

Tsun Wen-din had 22 points and 18 rebounds in the Yulon victory. Chen Hsin-an had 16 points, including a highlight-reel dunk, and 5 assists. O-Yang Jin-hen led Jutai with 27 points, Yang Yu-ming had 20.

Last night Yang Che-yi had 22 points in the Mars' 80-63 victory over Jutai. Dacin limited Bank of Taiwan to 8 points, all on free-throws, in the last five minutes to a 76-66 come-from-behind win. Dacin will battle the fourth place with Taiwan Beer.

Saturday, May 03, 2003

Yulon, Mars, Jutai top standings

Yulon beat Taiwan Beer, 78-60, last night(May 2nd) to stay undefeated in the A-League regular season and won its 11th straight. Yulon was 7-0 in the first leg and has won all four games in the second.

Mars(10-1) and Jutai(8-2) are not far behind. In fact, they are the only three teams with winning record. Among the other teams, Taiwan Beer(4-7), Dacin(3-7) and Bank of Taiwan(3-7) are fighting for the fourth place and the last semifinal seed.

Military beat Jin-jin Design, 95-92, in the other matchup of the night.

On May 1st, Yang Yu-ming poured in 34 points as Jutai beat Dacin, 95-82. Yang was 13-for-24 in the game. Dacin was led by Wu Dai-hao’s 25 points and 13 rebounds.

Mars edged Bank of Taiwan, 87-81, in its 9th consecutive victory. Lin Jia-huang led Mars with 19. Lee Chi-yi had 17 points and 9 boards, while Yen Shin-shu had 16 and 9. Yang Chin-ming led BOT with 20 points. Ho Sho-jen had 19.

World University Games draw announced

The 22th World University Games team draw was announced on April 29th. Taiwan men's team, which is making its first appearance ever, is bracketed with Yugoslavia,, Mexico and Greece in Group B. Taiwan women's team is in the same group with host team Korea, Canada, South Africa and Ireland.

The 22th World University Games will be held in Daegu, South Korea from Aug.20-31.

**Men's Draw
Group A: Korea, Russia, Estonia, South Africa
Group B: Yugoslavia, Mexico, Greece, Taiwan
Group C: China, Spain, Turkey, Kazakhstan
Group D: Germany, Czech Republic, Australia
Group E: Canada, Bulgaria, Hong Kong
Group F: Sweden, Japan, Nigeria, Ukraine

**Women's Draw
Group A: Korea, Canada, Taiwan, South Africa, Ireland
Group B: USA, Italy, Hungary, Australia, Thailand
Group C: China, Yugoslavia, Japan, Finland, Slovakia
Group D: Czech Republic, Russia, Lithuania, Mexico

For more info please log onto the official web site