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| Sani Sakakini turned back time to lead New Taipei back to the EASL playoffs. EASL |
MANILA--Meralco lost steam in the end as New Taipei claimed the last seat in the EASL semifinals with a 106-96 double overtime win in the final game of the regular season on Wednesday night at the University of Taiwan, Tian-Mu Campus Gymnasium in New Taipei City.
Despite playing without Jeremy Lin, the Kings closed out the game on a 9-0 run as the Bolts could not recover after letting Joseph Lin hit a booming three with 1:10 left that sparked the game-deciding run.
Sani Sakakini led New Taipei, which set a date with Hiroshima in the Final Four on March 7 in Macau, with a vintage performance of 31 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists.
Austin Daye added 24 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and two steals, while Lin and Kenneth Manigault each chipped in 19 markers with Manigault grabbing 14 rebounds as well.
DJ Kennedy put up 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and four steals for Meralco, whose loss means a PBA team will miss the EASL Final Four again for the second straight season.
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