Richard Dy 6y

Blackwater braces for tough challenge from Chinese team

MACAU -- Bong Ramos sees Blackwater's 78-67 win over the Seoul Samsung Thunders on Tuesday as a very good workout, especially since the Elite are bracing for an uphill battle against the tall Guanzhou Long Lions in their next game.

The Elite unleashed a crippling 16-5 bomb in the final four and a half minutes to send the Koreans down on their knees on the opening day of the 2018 Asia League Summer Super 8 at the Macao East Asian Games Dome.

But Ramos is well aware that the story come Wednesday against the Long Lions will be different, citing the Chinese squad's size and the Elite's shorthanded frontline.

The Elite flew here minus big men Rabeh Al-Hussaini and James Sena.

Al-Hussaini suffered a bruised heel shortly after Blackwater scored a six-game sweep in a pocket tournament in Surabaya, Indonesia last week. The 6-5 Sena, meanwhile, will be attending to his wife, who is giving birth anytime soon.

Without the two veteran centers, Ramos said their front court will depend largely on John Paul Erram, undersized power forward/center Raymar Jose and Chris Javier.

"I'm hopeful that we can execute against China because we are playing against one of the strongest teams here," Ramos said after their triumphant debut in the eight-team, four-nation tournament.

Erram exploded for 20 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks for the Elite, while Jose added six of his 14 points during a decisive endgame run in the final period against the Thunders.

"I think Raymar plays well together with Poy (Erram) because he can shoot from the perimeter, can defend a small or tall player also. We hope to develop his game further," Ramos said.

The Guanghou Long Lions subdued the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka from Japan, 68-62, in the nightcap.

The Long Lions boast of 7-1 slotman Zheng Zhun while at least three players stand 6-6 and above.

"We just have to study how this Chinese team plays so we know what kind of defense we will be using," shared Ramos.

After Wednesday match against Guangzhou (1-0), Blackwater winds up its single-round elimination assignment against the Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka (0-1).

Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the crossover semifinals, which will be held on Saturday.

Group A saw NLEX grabbing the leadership in the standings after hammering the Formosa Dreamers, 94-68 in the opening game. On the other hand the Flying Tigers bowed to the ETLand Elephants, 81-67.

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