CHENZHOU (FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2017) - The Classification games of the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2017 opened Day 7 with excitement as both Mono Vampire and Chooks-To-Go registered big wins.

In the day’s first game, Mono Vampire Thailand used a strong finishing kick to subdue the Taipei Dacin Tigers, 92-89. The Taipei side were up 6 heading into the final period, but the Thais unleashed a wicked finish to the game, outscoring Taipei, 25-16, in the fourth quarter.

Jason Brickman rediscovered his brilliant play in this game, scoring 27 points to go along with 11 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Mike Singletary backstopped him with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Teerawat Chanthachon added a dozen points, 7 boards and 6 steals.

Sim Bhullar was the most productive player for Dacin with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

In the second match, Chooks-To-Go Philippines snapped a two-game losing skid with a 92-57 drubbing of Al Ahli Dubai. The Emiratis stuck with the Filipinos for the first ten minutes of play before coach Chot Reyes’s wards shifted their play into high gear in the second period to lead by 16 points at the half and never look back.

“The Phenom” Kiefer Ravena was huge for Chooks-To-Go anew, scoring 20 points and grabbing 6 rebounds even as fellow guard Almond Vosotros hit 14 points off the bench. Isaiah Austin also continued to impress with 10 points and 8 boards for the Philippine squad, who are still aiming for a top 5 finish.

Coach Peter Schomers played just 7 players for Al Ahli, and they were paced by the 28 points and 13 rebounds of big man Qais Omar Al Shabebi. Half-Filipino Khalifa Salem added 8 points and 4 steals in the losing cause.

Mono Vampire and Chooks-To-Go will face each other in a rematch for fifth place, while Al Ahli play Dacin for seventh spot.

FIBA