LG Sakers of Korea's KBL routed Taiwan NT 94-65 in the opening night of the inaugural APB (Asian Professional Basketball) tournament Friday while Perth Wildcats came up with an easy 81-70 win over Niigata Albirex of Japan's BJ League.
Taiwan NT entered the game without Tsun Wen-din, who is in Las Vegas for Pete Newell Big Man Camp and will not join the team before Aug. 14, and Chen Chih-chung, who is injured.
But it's hard to believe the home team could only hang with the Koreans for only a quarter. Led by Pervis Pasco, who had 15 points and 12 boards in the game, LG pulled away in the second quarter and never looked back.
Veteran Hoon Joo-yup had 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Sakers, which outrebounded Taiwan 40-22 and was 13 for 26 from threes.
Tien Lei had 23 points and 7 boards before fouling out. Taiwan NT once again relied heavily on three-pointers but shot only 10 for 42.
Paul Rogers had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists to pace the Wiladcats.