Photo credit: EASL | facebook.com/eastasiasuperleague
Reigning Japan B.League champion Utsunomiya Brex blasts the PBA Philippine Cup 2022 runner-up TNT Tropang GIGA, 99-66 in the opening day of the 2023 EASL Champions Week on Wednesday, March 1 at the Brex Arena Utsunomiya in Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan. [Full EASL Schedule - CLICK HERE]
Utsunomiya pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring the Tropang Giga, 32-8. 6'10" import Josh Scott led the Brex with a double-double of 24 points on 11-of-13 shooting from the field to go with 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks while Brex second import 6'10" Grant Jerrett added 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Import Jalen Hudson was the only TNT player to score in double digits with 28 points including 5-of-11 from beyong the arc and 9-of-13 from the line along with seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. TNT's second import Daniel Ochefu with 9 points, nine rebounds, one steal and one block while Calvin Oftana added 8 points, Jayson Castro had 7 points, Mikey Williams and RR Pogoy added 5 points apiece.
The Tropang Giga will be back in action against Seoul SK Knights on March 3 at 4:00pm [LIVE] while the San Miguel Beermen will open their EASL campaign on March 2 at 6:30pm against the Japan B.League runner-up Ryukyu Golden Kings featuring former PBA import Allen Durham and Asian import Carl Tamayo while the former PBA guest team Bay Area Dragons will face the Seoul SK Knights on March 2 at 4:00pm. [LIVE]
The Scores:
UTSUNOMIYA BREX 99 – Scott 24, Jerrett 20, Endo 17, Ikaruga 11, Hiejima 9, Yang 8, Takeuchi 5, Takashima 3, Kitagawa 2, Kasai 0, Araya 0, Watanabe 0.
TNT TROPANG GIGA 66 - Hudson 28, Ochefu 9, Oftana 8, Castro 7, M. Williams 5, Pogoy 5, Chua 3, Khobuntin 1, Varilla 0, K. Williams 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Tungcab DNP.
Quarters: 25-26, 57-34, 79-55, 99-66. [FULL HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO]
2023 EASL Champions Week: (SMB, TNT & BAD games)
March 1 - Utsunomiya def. TNT, 99-66
March 2 - BAD vs. SK Knights | 4:00pm [LIVE]
March 2 - SMB vs. Ryukyu | 6:30pm [LIVE]
March 3 - TNT vs. Seoul SK Knights | 4:00pm [LIVE]
March 3 - BAD vs. Utsunomiya | 6:30pm [LIVE]
March 4 - SMB vs. Anyang KGC | 4:00pm [LIVE]
March 5 - if necessary | Medal Round
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