MACAU -- Tournament favorite Guanzhou unleashed its full offensive might in the final period to clobber Blackwater, 88-69, virtually sealing a semifinal spot in the 2018 Asia League Summer Super 8 on Wedneday night here at the Macao East Asian Games Dome.
The taller and physical Long Lions held the Elite to just a single free throw during the first five minutes, while racking up 22 points to turn what had been a tight contest into a ghastly rout.
One of two Chinese Basketball Association ball clubs in this tournament, Guanzhou now leads Group B with its 2-0 record. The Chinese squad can complete a sweep of its bracket with another win on Thursday when it wraps up group stage play against the Samsung Thunders.
The Elite will try to secure a spot in the crossover semifinals with a win against Japanse squad Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka on Thursday.
The Thunders (1-1) earlier secured their first win in the tourney with their 68-63 decision to knock the Zephyr Fukuoka (0-2) out of semis contention.
Before the fourth-quarter collapse, the Elite managed to stay within striking distance against Guanzhou. The Long Lions held double-digit leads for much of the first three quarters, before the Elite narrowed the gap at 58-59 entering the last period.
The fourth quarter though proved downhill for Blackwater after shooting just 3-of-19 from the floor.
The Chinese relied on their three-point shooting behind Shierlijian Muxar, who led the Long Lions with 26 points, spiked by four triples. The gutsy Chinese shooting guard did a little of everything as he added eight assists, six rebounds and three steals.
Also stepping up big-time for the Guanzhou was bruising forward Guo Kai, who had a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Team skipper Ju Mingxin came off the bench to score 19, while 7-1 slotman Zheng Zhun came one rebound short of a double-double with 13 points and nine boards.
Mike DiGregorio led the Elite with 13 points, but was only good for 4-of-11 shooting from the field.
Allein Maliksi and Raymar Jose added 11 points apiece, though the missing link was slotman John Paul Erram.
The 6-7 Erram only scored six points and five rebounds, just a day after leading the Elite to a 78-67 win over the Thunders behind his 20 points and 17 rebounds.
The Scores:
GUANGZHOU 88 - Jing 21, Guo 16, Shirelijian 14, Zheng 14, Gu 10, Tian 5, Wang 3, Yao 3, Heng 2, Song 0.
BLACKWATER 69 - DiGregorio 13, Jose 11, Maliksi 11, Sumang 8, Erram 6, Palma 6, Javier 5, Pinto 5, Banal 2, Belo 2, Zamar 0.
Quarters: 24-21, 46-37, 59-58, 88-69.