Terrific 12: Blackwater, TNT fall to rivals in East Asia Super League Day 1
Blackwater and TNT were unable to replicate the success of San Miguel as they fell to their respective foes in Day 1 of the East Asia Super League Terrific 12 2019 in Macau.
The Elite lost to Korean club SK Knights in Group A, 93-77 sans Ray Parks Jr. Import Alex Stepheson paced the squad with 22 points and 22 rebounds.
Blackwater fell by 17, 43-26 but managed to claw back and tie it at 46-all. That was when The Knights went on a huge run to pull away for good.
The KaTropa also lost to Chinese club Liaoning Flying Leopards of the CBA in a close one, 96-91 in Group D.
Liaoning was led by former Los Angeles Laker Lance Stephenson and former Dallas Maverick Salah Mejri.
Stephenson put on a show in the 4th quarter as he finished with a team-high 31 points along with 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Mejri added 22 points.
Stephenson entertained all night long with slams, nifty passes, and clutch baskets which always allowed Liaoning to maintain separation.
McKenzie Moore had a whopping 41 points but TNT did not have that much local support for him.
Only the best team in each of the 4 groups (3 teams each) will advance to the semi-finals of the invitational tournament.
