Hong Kong ELL bags 2017 ASEAN League title

It took an extra period to get it done, but Hong Kong ELL (Eastern Long Lions) managed to carve out an 80-82 win over the Singapore Slingers in Game 4 of their finals series to bag the 2017 ASEAN League (ABL) crown. This was a big win for them considering they joined the league in 2016.

It was a fitting end to a season well played by the Hong Kong franchise. They finished with a convincing 16-4 record and were the best team in the regular season. The Slingers were second (16-7) but had three more losses than their opponents this 2016-17.

There was a key momentum swing for the Eastern Long Lions after trailing by four points at the end of three quarters. They managed to force overtime on some clutch shooting. The Slingers were handicapped by fouls in the extra frame and Hong Kong.

American point guard, Marcus Elliott led the way for Hong Kong with 26 points and eight assists. Former NBA big man, Josh Boone turned in a double-double performance with 13 points and 16 boards.

Justin Howard had a massive double-double for Singapore with 20 points and 26 rebounds, but his dominance on the glass was not enough to offset his team’s foul-trouble woes late in the game. Xavier Alexander flirted with a triple-double, dropping 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.