Asia League Super 8: NLEX and Blackwater fall to their opponents on the second tournament day

Press release from Asia League

NLEX Road Warriors 60 – ETLand Elephants 75

The first game on Day 2 saw an exciting match-up between two winning sides from Day 1. ETLand Elephants got off to a great start, but NLEX road warriors held strong and were only 2 points behind by the end of the first half.

The South Korean team then pulled ahead, hitting 9 total 3-pointers in the second half and 15 of 36 for the game. The NLEX defense seemed shaken and weren’t able to hold their ground. 75-60, ETLand Elephant secured its second victory.

Blackwater Elite 69 – Guangzhou Long Lions 88

After scraping a win on Day 1, Guangzhou Long-Lions, led by Ju Mingxin, Guo kai and recently-transferred Shirelijan Muxtar, defeated the strong Philippine Blackwater 88-69.

Guangzhou gained momentum from the very start with Zheng Zhun combining front and back court, yet at the end of the first quarter only had 5 points lead, 24-19, while Blackwater performed several well-executed counter attacks. But every time scores tied, Guangzhou stepped it up. In the third quarter, Blackwater Elite once caught up – to 58-59 – much to the excitement of the large contingent of Filipino fans in the audience.

However, a key 3-pointer from Shirelijan boosted the team and kept Blackwater at bay for almost 10 minutes. Guangzhou took the opportunity to stretch the lead for a comfortable win.