Dragons eliminated from ABL playoffs after loss to Knights

Westports Malaysia Dragons' Bryan Davis in action during the Asean Basketball League (ABL)

PETALING JAYA: The Westports Malaysia Dragons have been eliminated from the playoff race in the Asean Basketball League (ABL).

The Dragons who are seventh in the nine-team league, needed a win to keep their slim hopes of making the top six cut.

But the injury-riddled Dragons were unable to rise to the occasion as they fell to a 68-87 defeat against an already eliminated CLS Knights at the GOR CLS Kertajaya, Surabaya yesterday.

The first quarter was a nightmare for the Dragons as they were caught sleepwalking to trail 8-24.

It shook them up a little but the Knights, who are playing without veteran talisman Mario Wuysang, still went ahead 40-26 at halftime.

That set the pace and the Dragons never recovered after the break as the Knights went on to pick up their fifth win of the season.

Former Dragons guard Freddie Goldstein was in rich form as he played with a chip on the shoulder to finish with 28 points and nine rebounds while Shane Edwards added 24 points for the Knights.

The Dragons on the other hand were paced by Chris Eversley who had 23 points while Joshua Munzon finished with 19 points.

It is however a disappointing end for the Dragons as they concede the sixth and final playoff spot to Saigon Heat of Vietnam.

It is now two seasons in a row that the Dragons have missed the post-season.

The Dragons will now play for pride in their last three matches, against the Heat (March 18), Thailand's Mono Vampire Basketball Club (March 21) and defending champions Hong Kong Eastern (March 25).