PLG Finals: Dieng's Double-Double Helps Pilots Tie Series Against Braves

(CNA reporter Chen Jung-chen, Taipei, 12th) Taiwan professional basketball P.LEAGUE+ defending champions, Taoyuan Pauian Pilots, relied on foreign student player Amadou-Bamba Dieng's 14 points and 11 rebounds, along with Lu Chun-hsiang's 15 points today, to defeat the Taipei Fubon Braves 84-77, tying the championship series at 2-2.

The PLG championship series is a best-of-seven format. Falling behind in the series, the Pilots visited the Braves today. Playing strong team basketball in the first half, they saw scoring from multiple players to build a double-digit lead, which at one point reached 21 points. Even though they faced a counterattack from their opponents in the fourth quarter, the Pilots managed to hold their ground at crucial moments, ultimately taking the victory by a 7-point margin and tying the series at 2-2.

In this game, the Pilots' foreign student player Amadou-Bamba Dieng played the role of a surprise weapon. Starting the game, he played 26 minutes and achieved a "double-double" with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Accompanied by local star Lu Chun-hsiang's 15 points, William Artino, Treveon Graham, and Li Chia-kang also contributed 10 points each, thoroughly demonstrating the team's collective strength.

Pilots' head coach Iurgi Caminos stated in a post-game media interview that this was a great victory, especially because they played the Pilots' style of basketball in the first half and created good opportunities. He particularly noted that Dieng stepped up under the team's strategy: "He cannot relax; next, we will return to our home court, and we still have two wins to get."

Braves' head coach Hsu Chin-che also acknowledged that Dieng was the biggest key to the Pilots' victory in this game. Therefore, he specifically instructed local big man Tseng Hsiang-chun to take on more responsibility and confront Dieng directly, hoping to "win back some opportunities in this aspect."

Regarding regular-season MVP Lu Chun-hsiang only receiving 5 free throws, Caminos expressed unfairness for his player. "I have never seen a league like this, where the MVP only gets 5 free throws. I feel he is not respected enough; I don't know if it's because of the orange jersey." Lu Chun-hsiang himself questioned why opponents were allowed to make the same plays while he was not, but added, "Rest well and win two more games." (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150612

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