WAN CHAI (Hong Kong, China) - XAC Broncos flexed their championship poise to beat South China Athletic, 86-84, to open their BCL Asia-East title defense on a winning note at the Southorn Stadium, Monday night.
The Mongolian side trailed by as much as 11 late in the third, but Ian Miller and Jordy Tshimanga took turns in leading the fourth-quarter reversal on their way to spoiling the Hong Kong A1 Division champions' debut.
The reigning league MVP led all scorers with 27 points, 13 of which he manufactured in the final period alone, including 2 of his 4 triples to overcome a rough start and bring his team back into the ball game.
The bruising big man, on the other hand, came through with 19 points and 13 rebounds plus a pair of blocked shots, as he was responsible for putting the Broncos ahead for good entering the last four minutes.
Tshimanga made Kyvon Davenport pay for fouling, completing a three-point play for the 77-75 lead. He'd soon push the spread to five, 83-78, with another conversion inside with less than two minutes left to play.
"It was a hard game," exhaled head coach Ariunbold Erdene. "Ian Miller hit the big shots, that's why we're able to get back and get close. And in the final moments, we came out with the win, that's why I am so happy."
Barsbold Baatar Erdene was the only other player in double figures in the victory with 16 points and 5 rebounds as the young star guard also contributed significantly in repelling the home team down the stretch.
Temuulen Chinges, Tommy Bilguun, Tushig Elbeg, and Azbayar Altangerel chipped in at least 4 points each for the Broncos, who have gained the head start in what should be a competitive Group B following the triumph.
"I think we came out a little bit sluggish and they punished us," reflected Miller, who also chalked up 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals to his tally. "But we adjusted at halftime, and came out with a different burst of energy."
Davenport led South China with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists in the stinging loss, in which they failed to protect the 61-50 lead they constructed with less than four minutes remaining in the third canto.
They did try to threaten by knocking within a field goal in the dying seconds and even appeared to get lucky when Tshimanga missed his free throws with 11.8 seconds left, but couldn't convert on their end as well.
Glen Yang delivered 18 points. Former Hong Kong Eastern big man Dominic Gilbert made 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Rodrigue Andela added 10 points and 9 rebounds for the tournament first-timers.
As tough as the defeat was, South China won't have much time to dwell on it as they will have to prepare against the New Taipei Kings, whom they will be battling tomorrow night, Tuesday, at 20:00 local time as well.
FIBA