Feb. 12, 2025 — Tian-Mu Campus Gymnasium, University of Taipei, Taipei City

In a winner-takes-all matchup, the New Taipei Kings and Meralco Bolts battled through one of the most epic games of the season. The first double-overtime in EASL history saw the Kings prevail at home, securing a spot in the EASL Final Four 2025 and ending the Bolts’ postseason hopes.

The Kings erased a 10-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter. Austin Daye tied the game late with a 3-pointer to force overtime. In the extra frame, the Bolts mirrored the Kings’ resilience. Down three with just a second to go, Jansen Rios drilled a game-tying 3-pointer to send the contest to double overtime. In the final frame, Joseph Lin hit a dagger three, followed by Lee Kai-Yan’s steal and fast-break layup to seal the victory, sending the Kings to their second straight Final Four.

Kings big man Sani Sakakini was named EASL Player of the Game after posting a game-high 31 points and 12 rebounds.

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Post-Game Triple:

The Return of the Kings

One Final Four spot remained up for grabs heading into Wednesday's game. Japan's Ryukyu Golden Kings and Hiroshima Dragonflies had already secured their places in January, while Chinese Taipei’s Taoyuan Pauian Pilots clinched their berth last week.

In a back-and-forth contest, both New Taipei and Meralco fought hard for a trip to Macau. The Bolts led by two at halftime and led by as much as 13 points in the third quarter. Entering the fourth up by 10, Meralco appeared poised to become the first Philippine team to reach the Final Four. However, the Kings clawed back, with Joseph Lin hitting two massive 3-pointers to trim the deficit to one. With 14 seconds remaining in regulation and the Kings down three, Daye drilled a game-tying 3-pointer to force overtime.

The drama continued. Daye scored seven points in the first overtime, but with the Kings up four and seven seconds remaining, Lin was whistled for a foul. Chris Newsome made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second. The Bolts regained possession, setting up a frantic finish. After Norman Black missed a corner three, Rios hit a desperation 3-pointer with one second left to force double overtime.

In the second overtime, Lin hit another clutch three with just over a minute remaining to make it a two-possession game. In the ensuing Bolts’ possession, Lee Kai-Yan stole the ball from Kier Quinto and finished a fast-break layup, sealing the Kings' victory.

With the loss, Meralco finished 2-4 and was eliminated from postseason contention.

The Kings will face Group A winners Hiroshima Dragonflies in the EASL Final Four semifinals on March 7 in Studio City Macau.

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No Jeremy Lin, No Problem

Kings star Jeremy Lin has been sidelined since injuring his right hamstring against Busan KCC Egis on Jan. 21. Though close to returning, he was not 100% and sat out Wednesday's game.

In an Instagram post, Lin revealed that five of his teammates had messaged him privately, promising to secure a Final Four berth.

Their names? Joseph Lin, Lee Kai-Yan, Austin Daye, Kenny Manigault, and Sani Sakakini—the five starters who accounted for all of New Taipei's points in the victory.

With Lin nearing his return, the Kings will be a formidable force heading into the Final Four.

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Joe Lin’s Heroics

With Jeremy Lin watching from the sidelines, his brother Joseph had a heroic moment of his own despite an injury scare in the fourth quarter.

During the Kings' comeback, Lin collided with Bolts captain Chris Newsome while going for a steal, splitting his upper right eyebrow.

After getting treated, Lin returned three minutes later wearing a headband to protect the wound.

His impact was immediate, hitting two clutch 3-pointers to fuel the comeback. He later sealed the Kings' victory with dagger three in double overtime to help lead the Kings to victory.

Lin would end up going to get stitches after the game.

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EASL Player of the Game: Sani Sakakini, New Taipei Kings

The New Taipei Kings were led by center Sani Sakakini on Wednesday.

The Palestinian big man came into the game with a back injury.

Fans would not have guessed he was going into the game injured in this one, as Sakakini posted a game-high 31 points, adding 12 rebounds to his name in over 48 minutes played.

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Stat of the Game: 33-0

The New Taipei Kings relied heavily on their starters on Wednesday, with the bench failing to score. Each of the starters played over 40 minutes against the Bolts.

In contrast, Meralco’s bench scored 33 points against the Kings, with Kier Quinto leading the way with 15 points. Jansen Rios also chipped in with 11 points off the bench, including the massive game-tying three to send the game into double-overtime.

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Quotes of the Game: 

Sani Sakakini on winning EASL Player of the Game: 

“Since I joined the team, I don’t care, we have a great team. We don’t care who scores. We just want to get the job done. At the end of the game, the whole team is happy. No matter who scores, no matter who gets MVP of the game. So for me, without my teammates, we wouldn’t be in this situation. I couldn’t have done anything. This is for me and for the team. This is a recognition of the whole team.”

On the fourth quarter comeback:

“I still remember in the last minute of the third quarter, I told the team, ‘It’s a long game, we have 11 more minutes.’ Before the fourth starts, we talked about how it’s a long game. We needed to keep pushing, and we got it done.”

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Next Games:‍

• New Taipei Kings: Semifinal vs. Hiroshima Dragonflies (B.LEAGUE) - Mar. 7, 2025, in EASL Final Four 2025 at Studio City Macau
• Meralco Bolts: Finished Group Stage with a 2-4 record