Hong Kong Eastern’s Cameron Clark in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. – PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Behind key players with playing experience in the Philippines, visiting team Hong Kong Eastern got its PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign off to a good start after defeating Phoenix, 102-87, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday.
Eastern leaned on former NLEX and San Miguel Beer Cameron Clark, as well as help from former Bay Area Dragons starter Hayden Blankley, to win its first game in the midseason conference. The goal is to become only the second foreign club to capture a PBA crown.
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Clark recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks while Blankley added 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks for the reigning Hong Kong A1 Championship holders and East Asia Super League participants.
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Glen Yang, another former Bay Area player, had 13 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Yin Lung Cheung had 11 for Eastern.
Coach Mensur Bajramovic and his Eastern squad opened a busy period that will see them return to Hong Kong for a domestic league schedule at the weekend following Converge Friday games at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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Import Donovan Smith recorded 33 points and 11 rebounds, but the Fuel Masters lost by 21.
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Phoenix cut the deficit to 49-45 at halftime, but Eastern took command in the third period when Blankley scored 10 points to pull away.
Jason Perkins had 22 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals for Phoenix in the loss.
The Fuel Masters face the Meralco Bolts on Friday at Ninoy Aquino.
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