Hong Kong Eastern clinched a quarterfinal spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a commanding 134-110 win over Terrafirma at the PhilSports Arena. The victory marked Eastern’s seventh win in 10 games, securing a tied record with NorthPort and Converge while confirming all three teams’ advancement to the last eight. Terrafirma, meanwhile, remained winless after 11 games.
Game Highlights
- First Half Challenges: Eastern’s import Chris McLaughlin exited early due to a knee injury, hampering their performance initially. The first half lacked energy, with the score tied 79-all late in the third quarter.
- Momentum Shift: A decisive 10-0 run at the end of the third quarter shifted the momentum in Eastern’s favor. Ramon Cao and Kobey Lam led a dominant fourth quarter, where Eastern outscored Terrafirma 45-31, achieving a peak lead of 131-102.
Coach Bajramovic’s Remarks
- Halftime Adjustments: Coach Mensur Bajramovic attributed the turnaround to a crucial halftime discussion. “The first half wasn’t at the level we need for a win,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of focus and energy.
- Focus on Top 2 Finish: Bajramovic expressed aspirations for a top-two finish in the eliminations, which would secure a win-once advantage in the quarterfinals. He stressed the importance of winning the remaining three games and monitoring other teams’ performances.
Implications for Terrafirma
Despite showing competitive spirit for much of the game, Terrafirma failed to maintain its momentum, continuing its winless streak.
Eastern’s decisive performance positions them as strong contenders for a high playoff seed, with their focus now on securing a win-once advantage in the next phase.
1st Q2ND Q3RD Q4TH Q
24:12
27:50
26:13
26:57
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