Bay Area Dragons rocket to the top of the Philippine Basketball Association’s Commissioner’s Cup
- Invited to compete in the league as a guest team, the newly formed Chinese franchise, based in Hong Kong, have dominated the competition
- Head coach Bryan Goorjian said the team will now take a much-needed break before they launch into the final phase of their PBA campaign
The Bay Area Dragons moved to the top of the Philippine Basketball Association’s Commissioner’s Cup over the weekend and look well set for a run deep into the play-offs.
A loss by former league leaders Magnolia, in combination with the Dragons’ 54-point drubbing of Terrafirma, sent the newly formed Chinese franchise, who are based in Hong Kong, to the top as the season reached its halfway mark.
Launched in December last year, the Dragons joined the Commissioner’s Cup as a guest team in October as they prepare to start their campaign in the inaugural season of the East Asia Super League (EASL).
The Dragons have now got an enviable 6-1 record in the PBA’s Commissioner’s Cup, their only loss having been inflicted by the Gin Kings in a fiery 111-93 encounter.
Last week the Dragons returned fire with a 113-87 masterclass against the San Miguel Beermen, before romping to an emphatic 130-76 victory over Terrafirma. The side will now have a short break before they return to court on November 4, when they will face the Meralco Bolts.
Head coach Bryan Goorjian said that the break had come at a perfect time to allow the team to catch their breath before entering the final phase of their campaign in the elimination matches, which will see the Dragons battle it out with the other top contenders including Magnolia and TNT Tropang Giga.
“We got that nice window to freshen them up mentally when we come back and be ready for the tough part of our schedule,” veteran coach Goorjian – who is also in charge of the Australian national team – told the PBA website.
The Dragons are set to compete in Group B alongside the Seoul SK Knights and the Utsunomiya Brex when the EASL gets under way early next year.
