Videoland Hunters finally realize what their strength is. VL dominated inside for the whole 40 minutes and beat Dacin 102-97 in Game 1 of the SBL semifinal series. Hunters' inside advantage negated Tien Lei's SBL playoff-high and personal best 47 points.
Veteran Lai Kuo-hong tallied 29 points on 12 for 19 shooting and Lee Chi-yi had 22 points, making 14 of 15 free-throws. Videoland -- a team boasts bruising frontline with below-average speed -- decided to stay within their strength, with Lai Kuo-hong, Lee Chi-yi, Lin Shin-hwa and even poing guard Chen Huei posting down low whenever possible. Dacin's weak interior defense was obvious, as VL making 29 of 39 foul shots.
After a 50 all first half, VL pull ahead with a 31-18 third quarter. Lai Kuo-hong virtually beat every defender Dacin sent to cover him. VL led by as many as 16 points.
Dacin, which could only count on Tien Lei most of the game, rallied in the last quarter with a full-court press and cut the deficit down to single digit but that was the best they could do.
Tien was 17 for 28 from the field, including 8 for 14 from three, to go with 10 rebounds. Dacin made 15 of 18 free-throws and had three players fouling out.
Videoland 102-97 Dacin
VL: Lai Kuo-hong 29p(12-19 FG), Lee Chi-yi 22p+5rb, Yang Che-yi 13p
Dacin: Tien Lei 47p(8-14 3PT)+10rb+3s, Chang Chi-feng 23p