PETALING JAYA: Westports Malaysia Dragons put up a poor second quarter showing to slump to an 88-82 loss to Hi-Tech Bangkok City in the opening game of the Asean Basketball League (ABL) in Bangkok.
The youthful Dragons side started well, racing to a 20-13 lead.
The home side, however, were unfazed. With Chris Charles and Steve Thomas dominating the paint, Bangkok City surged ahead to a 37-27 lead at the end of the second quarter.
With pint-sized point guard Jerrick Canada in commanding form, Bangkok City opened up the game to further surge ahead 61-45.
The Dragons tried to stage a fightback in the final quarter with American imports Chris Eversley and Justin Knox leading the charge. But it proved too little too late as the hosts held firm for a well-deserved win.
Charles had 29 points and 13 rebounds for Bangkok City while Thomas contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double as well.
Eversley was the Dragons’ top scorer with 31 points.
The Malaysian side’s next match is against Singapore Slingers at the OCBC Arena in Singapore on July 27.
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