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Mike Chan

The Bay Area Dragons squandered a 14-point lead in a 89-82 Game 3 upset in the Philippines Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup finals on Wednesday night.
Defeat at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila leaves the Chinese franchise trailing Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 2-1 going into Game 4 of the best-of-seven-series on Friday.
The league-leading Dragons, who came into the finals with a 10-2 regular season record, led for much of the game, and turned a 37-35 half-time advantage into a 14-point cushion with about two minutes to go in the third quarter.

But their opponents, roared on by a raucous home crowd of 15,000, had other ideas.
American import Justin Brownlee, who dominated with a game-high 32 points, capped a mini 7-0 run to tie the game at 79-apiece for the Philippines team with less than three minutes remaining.
Ginebra then used another 10-3 run to seal the comeback win, with Brownlee’s 19 points matching the entire Dragons team in the final quarter.
Hong Kong basketball star Glen Yang, who finished with 11 points and six assists, cited “fatigue and inexperience” in the Dragons’ surprising loss.
“We missed open looks and took some rushed shots and we turned the ball over far too often,” Yang said.
“That environment was extremely intense, and the most passionate fans most of us have seen before, but it was what every basketball player dreams of playing in. The only thing was the entire crowd was against us.”

With the Dragons out-rebounded, despite Canadian import Andrew Nicholson grabbing a game-high 24 boards and recording 20 turnovers, compared to Ginebra’s eight, Duncan Reid said his team would have to make some “offensive adjustments” in the next game.
“Ginebra’s full-court press was successful in causing some turnovers and as a team, we rushed some of our remaining possessions,” said Hong Kong’s Reid, who has been limited to just 13 minutes over the first three games.
Any adjustments will have to come fast. Ex-Canada international Nicholson exited the game in the final minute with an apparent twisted ankle.
The 33-year-old, who has been the Dragons’ top scorer and rebounder averaging 26.6 points and 17 boards in the finals, had to be carried off the court and he appeared to be in some pain.

Andrew Nicholson being wheeled out of the Mall of Asia Arena after Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals @spinph pic.twitter.com/qQbvhLos2Q
— gerryramos (@gerardmos) January 4, 2023

But Yang remained confident that his side’s up-tempo approach would ultimately pay dividends.
“We were able to play our game for periods [in Game 3] but we could not sustain it,” the point guard said. “We need to clean up our offence when they denied Andrew, and continue to rebound and defend.”
Nicholson was taken to a nearby hospital in Pasay City after the game, and the Dragons are monitoring his situation, although it could be Friday before they know whether he can play any part in Game 4.


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East Asia Super League

‘Inexperience’ proves costly for Bay Area Dragons in PBA Commissioner’s Cup Game 3 defeat to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

Glen Yang said ‘inexperience and fatigue’ had cost his side in Game 3. Photo: Handout

Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee scored 34 points and had 17 rebounds game in his side’s 89-82 victory over the Bay Area Dragons. Photo: Handout

Andrew Nicholson chipped in 23 points to go with 24 rebounds, both team-highs, before exiting the game injured in the final minute. Photo: Handout

East Asia Super League: Bay Area Dragons boss questions Hong Kong ‘culture’ as he looks to Macau for new home

Bay Area Dragons import Andrew Nicholson (left) in action against San Miguel Beermen. Photo: EASL

Hong Kong basketball star Duncan Reid says he would love for the team to be based in Hong Kong. Photo: EASL 

PBA Commissioner’s Cup: Bay Area Dragons set up play-offs finals clash with Ginebra

Glen Yang in action against the San Miguel Beermen. Photos: Handout

Andrew Nicholson in action against the San Miguel Beermen.

Glen Yang says the Dragons need to match Ginebra’s physicality.

Bay Area Dragons rocket to the top of the Philippine Basketball Association’s Commissioner’s Cup

Bay Area Dragons on their way to a 113-87 win over San Miguel Beermen. Photo: EASL

The Dragons have gone 6-1 in the PBA’s Commissioner’s Cup, their only loss coming to Gin Kings. Photo: EASL

East Asia Super League secures US$40m to fund expansion as CEO Matt Bayer talks up ‘bullish’ outlook

Glen Yang (right) in action for Hong Kong franchise the Bay Area Dragons. Photo: EASL

East Asia Super League CEO Matt Beyer is looking for aggressive growth. Photo: EASL

East Asia Super League scraps inaugural season but will host ‘Champions Week’ tournament in Japan

Glen Yang (right) in action with the Bay Area Dragons. Photo: Handout

Andrew Nicholson (left) is averaging a league-leading 38.5 points in his four appearances for the Bay Area Dragons this season. Photo: Handout

Duncan Reid (right) in action with the Bay Area Dragons. Photo: Handout

Glen Yang is averaging 38 minutes per game with the Dragons this season at the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Photo: Handout

Sport

Basketball

Hong Kong

China

Justin Brownlee dominates with game-high 32 points as Ginebra overhaul 14-point deficit in Manila
Hostile crowd of 15,000 takes Dragons by surprise, while concern grows over Andrew Nicholson’s fitness


Justin Brownlee dominates with game-high 32 points as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel overhaul 14-point deficit in Game 3 of PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.


‘Inexperience’ proves costly for Bay Area Dragons in PBA Commissioner’s Cup Game 3 defeat to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel

Justin Brownlee dominates with game-high 32 points as Ginebra overhaul 14-point deficit in Manila Hostile crowd of 15,000 takes Dragons by surprise, while concern grows over Andrew Nicholson’s fitness

Justin Brownlee dominates with game-high 32 points as Ginebra overhaul 14-point deficit in Manila

Hostile crowd of 15,000 takes Dragons by surprise, while concern grows over Andrew Nicholson’s fitness