Guangzhou shuts down Blackwater in Q4 for 2-0 start

MANILA — Guangzhou went on a fourth quarter domination to blast Blackwater, 88-69, in their Asia League Summer Super 8 tie at the Macao East Asia Games Dome in Macau on Wednesday night.

The Long Lions bounced back from a third quarter turnaround by the Elite and shut them down in the final 10 minutes for their second win in Group B play.

Guangzhou was on an early pace to pull away early in the third, opening a 48-37 lead, but Blackwater slowly crawled back and was within one, 58-59, entering the fourth.

The Elite had two chances to take the lead early in the fourth, but they failed to convert on their lay-ins, and the Long Lions went on a 13-0 run to blow the game wide open.

Ju Mingxin led Guangzhou with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block off the bench.

Guo Kai added 16 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.

Shirelijian Muxtar finally got his three-point shooting going and chipped in 14 points with six rebounds, eight assists, and three steals.

Mike DiGregorio made 13 markers, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal for Blackwater in a game where Poy Erram was held to just six points and five rebounds while getting hampered by foul trouble.