Game Notes: Group B – Seoul SK Knights (3-2) vs. Meralco Bolts (1-4)

February 6, 2024

4 mins

Game Notes: Group B – Seoul SK Knights (3-2) vs. Meralco Bolts (1-4)

Written by EASL

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Knights can win Group B and set up Anyang semifinal clash

February 7, 2024 – Jamsil Students’ Gymnasium, Seoul, South Korea

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Storylines

SK can set up Anyang semifinal clash‍

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The Seoul SK Knights have a chance to win Group B with a victory. In doing so, they would set up a semifinal against Korean Basketball League rivals Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters, and avoid facing the fancied Chiba Jets.

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Just last week, SK had a mountain to climb to reach this position. They needed to beat the New Taipei Kings last week by 19 points or more to win any tiebreaker between the two teams. the Seoul team did just that, demolishing the P. LEAGUE+ side in a 32-point victory.

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That not only helped the EASL Champions Week runners-up clinch a spot in the Final Four in Cebu, Philippines this March but also put them in a prime position to move atop the Group B standings. If Seoul wins on Wednesday, they will finish level with New Taipei Kings on classification points (based on the teams’ win-loss record) and will win the resulting tiebreaker.

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A Seoul vs. Jung Kwan Jang semifinal would be a repeat of last year’s EASL Champions Week final. Jung Kwan Jang came out on top in that last EASL meeting in a tightly-contested 90-84 win.

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Bolts aim to end season on a high‍

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This will be the Meralco Bolts’ last game of the EASL season, as they will finish in the basement of Group B even with a win.

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The Bolts also crashed out of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, losing the second game of a twice-to-beat format in their quarterfinal clash against Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.

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Meralco gave Seoul a tough task the last time the two teams met when SK escaped Manila with an 81-80 victory. The Bolts had a chance to win the game on their final possession with seconds ticking down, only to turn the ball over to seal their fate.

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Will we see another valiant effort from the Bolts in their rematch with the Knights?

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Shonn Miller makes EASL debut‍

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Forward Shonn Miller will be making his EASL debut for the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday.

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The 30-year-old power forward was signed on January 4 as a replacement for the Bolts’ leading scorer Zach Lofton. Lofton was EASL’s second-leading scorer this season, averaging 30.5 points per game.

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Miller has performed well for the Bolts in the PBA, averaging 22.2 points, 16.8 rebounds, and 3.4 steals in five games.‍

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Players to Watch

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‍Seoul SK Knights (KBL):‍

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#34 Jameel Warney – C

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- USA NCAA Division 1: Stony Brook (2012-2016)

3x AP honorable mention All-American (2014-2016)
3x NCAA America East Player of the Year (2014-2016)
3× NCAA All-America East First Team (2014–2016)
2× America East Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016)
2013 NCAA America East Rookie of the Year
2016 NCAA America East tournament MVP
No. 20 retired by Stony Brook University

- Former NBA player (Dallas Mavericks)

NBA career stats: 3 games – 5.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg

- Former NBA G-League player (Texas Legends, Westchester Knicks)

2018 All-NBA G-League First Team

- 2017 FIBA AmeriCup MVP

- 2017 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year

- South Korea: KBL – Seoul SK Knights

3x KBL Import of the Year (2020, 2022, 2023)
3x All-KBL Team (2020, 2022, 2023)
2023 KBL Top Scorer (24.0 ppg)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

37.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 3.8 apg

- 2023-24 KBL season stats:

24.7 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 4.3 apg

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#22 Oh Jae Hyun – G

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- University: South Korea - Hanyang University

- South Korea: KBL – Seoul SK Knights

2020-21 KBL Draft: 2^nd round, 1^st pick (Seoul SK Knights)
2020-21 KBL Rookie of the Year
2021-22 KBL Champion

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

6.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg

- 2023-24 KBL season:

11.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.2 apg

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#11 Heo Il Young

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- University: South Korea – Konkuk University

- South Korea: KBL – (Daegu Orions – 2009-21, Seoul SK Knights – 2021-)

2009 KBL Draft: 2^nd overall pick – Daegu Orions
2x KBL Champion (2016 – Daegu Orions, 2022 – Seoul SK Knights)

- South Korea National Basketball Team

Gold Medalist (2014 Asian Games)
Silver Medalist (2016 William Jones Cup)
Bronze Medalist (2018 Asian Games)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

8.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.7 apg

- 2023-24 KBL season:

7.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.6 apg‍

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Meralco Bolts (PBA):‍

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#2 Shonn Miller – PF

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- USA NCAA Division I: Cornell (2011-15; Connecticut (2015-16)

2013 First-team All-Ivy League (Cornell)

- Former NBA G League player (Greensboro Swarm – 2016-17, Salt Lake City Stars – 2018-19)

- Team History:

Portugal: LPB - U.D. Oliveirense (2019-20)
Mexico: LNBP – Soles de Mexicali (2020); Fuerza Regia de Monterrey (2023)
Italy: Serie A2 – Pallacanestro Trapani (2020-21)
Greece: GBL - Kolossos Rodou (2021-22)
Germany: BBL – Niners Chemnitz (2022); Riesen Ludwigsburg (2022-23)
Philippines: PBA – Meralco Bolts (2024-)

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioners’ Cup season stats:

22.2 ppg, 16.8 rpg, 2.2 apg

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#4 Diego Dario – PG

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- Philippines UAAP: University of the Philippines

2018 PBA Draft: 24^th overall pick – Blackwater Elite

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

3.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.7 apg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioners’ Cup season stats:

5.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 2.7 apg

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#17 Anjo Caram – PG

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- Philippines NCAA: San Beda College

3x NCAA Philippines champion (2010-12)

- Philippines: PBA - Meralco Bolts

2013 PBA Draft: 26^th overall pick – Meralco Bolts

2019 Governors’ Cup – 1x Player of the Week

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

7.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 2.5 apg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioners’ Cup season stats:

2.6 ppg, 0.1 rpg, 0.9 apg‍

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By the Numbers‍

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Seoul SK Knights (South Korea – KBL)‍

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Team History:

Founded: 1997
Honors: 3x KBL Champions (1999-00, 2017-18, 2021-22)
2x EASL Runners Up (2019 Terrific 12, 2023 EASL Champions Week)

- 2022-23 KBL season:

Runners-up in the 2022-23 KBL season
Regular season record: 36-18
Second in the regular season
Playoffs: defeated Jeonju KCC Egis 3-0 in quarterfinals; defeated Changwon LG Sakers 3-0 in semifinals; lost to Anyang KGC 4-3 in KBL Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 3-2

October 18, 2023: 80-79 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
November 1, 2023: 82-69 win over Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
November 8, 2023: 90-72 loss against New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)
December 27, 2023: 81-80 win over Meralco Bolts (PBA)
January 31, 2024: 89-57 win over New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Jameel Warney – 37.3 ppg
Rebounds: Jameel Warney – 11.5 rpg
Assists: Yaung Woo Sub – 7.0 apg
Steals: Leon Williams – 2.4 spg
Blocks: Jameel Warney – 1.5 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Home vs. Meralco Bolts (PBA) – February 7, 2024

- EASL History:

2023 EASL Champions Week: Seoul SK Knights went 2-1, defeating Bay Area Dragons 92-84 and PBA side TNT Tropang Giga 80-69 in the Group Stage. They lost to KBL side Anyang KGC 90-84 in the Final.
2019 Terrific 12: Seoul SK Knights went 3-1, beating PBA side Blackwater Elite and B.LEAGUE side Chiba Jets in the Group Stage. SK defeated CBA side Zhejiang Lions in the semifinals before falling to CBA side Liaoning Flying Leopards in the finals.

- KBL 2023-24 Season record: 23-15

October 21, 2023: 89-74 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
October 22, 2023: 85-80 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom
October 24, 2023: 90-79 win over Goyang Sono Skygunners
October 27, 2023: 78-67 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
October 29, 2023: 96-94 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
November 4, 2023: 69-50 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
November 11, 2023: 82-80 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
November 12, 2023: 106-76 loss against Wonju DB Promy
November 16, 2023: 76-74 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
November 18, 2023: 102-87 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom
November 20, 2023: 82-75 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
November 24, 2023: 86-80 win over Wonju DB Promy
November 26, 2023: 84-77 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
November 30, 2023: 87-73 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
December 2, 2023: 74-72 loss against Busan KCC Egis
December 3, 2023: 85-71 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
December 7, 2023: 78-75 win over Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
December 12, 2023: 91-82 loss against Wonju DB Promy
December 14, 2023: 81-69 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
December 16, 2023: 85-77 win over Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
December 19, 2023: 85-71 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom
December 21, 2023: 80-70 win over Goyang Sono Skygunners
December 23, 2023: 64-62 win over Changwon LG Sakers
December 25, 2023: 89-74 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
December 30, 2023: 86-68 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
January 1, 2024: 80-76 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
January 3, 2024: 77-74 win over Busan KCC Egis
January 5, 2024: 87-61 win over Goyang Sono Skygunners
January 7, 2024: 83-71 win over Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters
January 9, 2024: 64-57 win over Changwon LG Sakers
January 11, 2024: 90-75 loss against Busan KCC Egis
January 18, 2024: 97-94 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
January 20, 2024: 76-68 win over Wonju DB Promy
January 22, 2024: 88-75 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
January 25, 2024: 68-65 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
January 27, 2024: 92-87 loss against Busan KCC Egis
February 3, 2024: 78-76 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
February 4, 2024: 92-80 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus

- 2023-24 KBL season stat leaders:

Points: Jameel Warney – 24.7 ppg
Rebounds: Jameel Warney – 11.6 rpg
Assists: Kim Sun Hyung – 4.8 apg
Steals: Kim Sun Hyung – 1.6 spg
Blocks: Jameel Warney – 1.2 bpg‍

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Meralco Bolts (Philippines – PBA)‍

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- Team History:

Founded: 2010
Honors: 4x PBA Governors’ Cup runners-up (2015-16, 2016-17, 2019, 2021)

- 2022-23 PBA Governors’ Cup

Regular season record: 7-4
Playoffs: defeated Magnolia Hotshots 113-107 in Quarterfinals; loss to TNT Tropang Giga 3-1 in semifinals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 1-4

November 15, 2023: 89-61 loss against Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
November 29, 2023: 97-92 loss against New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)
December 13, 2023: 97-88 win over Ryukyu Golden Kings (B.LEAGUE)
December 27, 2023: 81-80 loss against Seoul SK Knights (KBL)
January 3, 2024: 89-77 loss against New Taipei Kings (P. LEAGUE+)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Chris Newsome – 16.8 ppg
Rebounds: Prince Ibeh – 9.0 rpg
Assists: Chris Newsome – 3.8 apg
Steals: Chris Newsome – 2.0 spg
Blocks: Prince Ibeh – 2.8 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Away vs. Seoul SK Knights (KBL) – February 7, 2024

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season record: 8-3

November 8, 2023: 107-102 win over Rain or Shine
November 11, 2023: 91-84 win over Blackwater Bossing
November 19, 2023: 93-83 loss against San Miguel Beermen
November 26, 2023: 109-95 win over TNT Tropang Giga
December 3, 2023: 97-94 win over NLEX Road Warriors
December 10, 2023: 125-99 win over NorthPort Batang Pier
December 17, 2023: 105-99 win over Converge FiberXers
December 22, 2023: 110-96 loss against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
January 6, 2024: 85-80 win over Magnolia Hotshots
January 10, 2024: 93-83 loss against Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
January 12, 2024: 109-102 win over Terrafirma Dyip
January 17, 2024: Quarterfinals Game 1 – 116-107 win over Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
January 21, 2024: Quarterfinals Game 2 – 88-84 loss against Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season stat leaders: