MVP-candidate Tsun Wen-din took advantage of Taiwan Beer's weak interior defense, collecting 18 points including 14 for 14 from the free-throw line and 12 rebounds, as defending champion Yulon routed Taiwan Beer 82-59 in Game 1 of the SBL semifnal.
Chen Hsin-an had 17 points and 8 rebounds, Chen Chih-chun had 12 points for the winner. Reigning SBL scoring leader Lin Chi-jay, who had 13 points, was the only TB player in double-figure.
In a game both team having a hard time finding basket, the final outcome was decided on the free-throw line, where Yulon made 24 of 28 free-throws and TB was only 7 of 15. Taiwan Beer was plagued by foul troubles throughout, with key players Ha Hsiao-yuan and Lin Chi-jay both fouling out with 8 minutes left in the game.
The officiating of two european referees, who were hired by CTBA to ref in the postseason and recommended by FIBA, deserved a thumb-up compliment. They took away the constant grabbing and holding which is common in Taiwanese players, and also paid close attention to the traveling violation.
Yulon 82-59 TB (half 43-36)
Yulon: Tsun Wen-din 18p(14-14 FT)+12rb+4a, Chen Hsin-an 17p+8rb, Chen Chih-chun 12p
TB: Lin Chi-jay 13p
* European Referees
Under CTBA's request, FIBA recommended three distinguished european referees to work the SBL playoffs. The refs are Ladislav Janac(Slovakia), Fedor Dmitriev(Belarus) and Regis Bardera(France).
* April MVP
Chen Hsin-an, who broke two SBL single-game record with 11 three-pointers and 52 points on April 16 vs. ETSN, was named Most Valuable Player for April. Chen led Yulon to a 7-1 record in the month and averaged 23.3 poiits and 5 rebounds.