Jung Kwan Jang clinch third place with narrow win over New Taipei Kings

The Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters narrowly secured third place honors in the EASL 2023-24 Season with a two-point victory over the New Taipei Kings.

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The relentless grit of New Taipei made a comeback seem almost possible, but guard Joseph Lin fatefully lost possession in the dying moments of the game, amid a dramatic and action-packed finish.
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Post-Game Triple

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1. Park Ji Hoon in the pantheon of East Asia's elite guards
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If the EASL is known for its star guards in Yuki Togashi and Jeremy Lin, Park Ji Hoon cemented his name among them.

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Ji Hoon finished with 29 points. Any time there was hope for New Taipei, Ji Hoon quashed it. He hit a buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter. Two of his three steals came early in the fourth quarter and during clutch time.

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2. Anyang shot the three-ball more efficiently
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New Taipei made more threes than Anyang, nine to eight.

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But Anyang shot 33 percent, shooting eight-for-24. Ji Hoon went three-for-four from three-point territory in the game.

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New Taipei shot 29 percent, nine-for-31 behind the arc, which meant they missed 22 three-point attempts.

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3. New Taipei show grit again
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In the semifinal game, New Taipei earned Chiba's respect by putting up a fight.

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The P. LEAGUE+ side showed the same determination against Anyang. Joseph Lin struggled throughout the game, but dished out his biggest assist late in the fourth quarter.

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Hayden Blankley struggled from three-point territory, shooting three-for-seven in the game, but hit two threes in the fourth quarter to keep his team in the game. Austin Daye and Kenny Manigault kept New Taipei in the game as well.

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New Taipei will return to the P.LEAGUE+ empty-handed, but they have earned the respect of East Asia's top teams for their grittiness.
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EASL Player of the Game: Park Ji Hoon, Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters

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Stats of the Day

New Taipei Kings missed 22 three-pointers.

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Anyang grabbed 36 defensive rebounds, which is more than the total rebounds New Taipei had (34).
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Post-game Press Conference

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