The Macau Black Bears ended their regular season on a high note, defeating the Busan KCC Egis 89-78. With the loss, KCC remains at the bottom of Group B with a 1-4 record and has been officially eliminated from postseason contention.

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In a closely contested game, Macau began to pull away in the final quarter. Leading 68-66 with six minutes remaining, the Black Bears closed the game on a decisive 21-12 run. Key contributions came from Adonis Thomas and Jenning Leung, who each hit crucial three-pointers, while Damian Chong Qui and Samuel Deguara added efficient close-range layups to secure the win.

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With a 3-3 record in their inaugural season, the Black Bears have done all they can. Their playoff fate now rests in the hands of the other Group B teams.

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Post-game Triple 

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Chong Qui Excels 

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Damian Chong Qui continues to make a strong impression in the East Asia Super League (EASL), delivering another outstanding performance to lead the Black Bears to their third win of the season. He finished with 23 points and 11 assists, shooting 50% from the field.

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The 5-foot-8 point guard has been a consistent contributor for Macau all season, despite the team assembling its roster just weeks before the league’s Tip-Off on Oct. 2, 2024. Chong Qui has remained unfazed by the team changes and the challenge of competing against some of the best teams in Asia, entering the game against Busan KCC with averages of 24.4 points and 8.6 assists.

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Chong Qui made history earlier in the season as the first player in EASL history to record a triple-double, a feat he accomplished against KCC in their first meeting on Nov 6. On Wednesday, he once again proved to be a thorn in KCC's side, dominating the game from the start.

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Heo, Lalanne Shine 

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Although Busan KCC lost a close game on Wednesday, its key players Heo Ung and Cady Lalanne combined for an impressive 47 points.

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Heo, who was questionable for the game after recently returning from injury, played effectively in the midrange and wasn’t afraid to shoot, whether off the catch or off the dribble. Though his performance wasn’t as exceptional as his recent game where he scored 14 points in under three minutes, Heo kept KCC competitive when it mattered most.

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As for Lalanne, this was his EASL debut after being acquired in a trade that sent former standout KCC import Deonte Burton to the Anyang JKJ Red Boosters. Lalanne made an immediate impact, finishing with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists.

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While Busan KCC has now been eliminated, they have one more regular season game remaining against the reigning P.LEAGUE+ champions, the New Taipei Kings. It’s certain that Heo and Lalanne will continue to perform strongly in that matchup as well.

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… And Now We Wait 

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If the season ended today and all other teams forfeited their remaining regular season games, Macau’s three wins would secure them second place in Group B, allowing them to join the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the EASL Final Four 2025.

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However, the situation is far from that simple.

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With no more opportunities to improve their record, Macau’s chances for the final spot depend on their two main contenders: the New Taipei Kings and the Meralco Bolts. Both teams have two games remaining, one of which will be a direct matchup between the two on Feb. 12. Prior to that, the Kings will face Busan KCC on Jan. 21, and the Bolts will play against the Ryukyu Golden Kings on Jan. 22.

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A lot of variables are still in play, and it’s not ideal for Macau to be dependent on others. But for now, they are in a safe position, and there’s still a possibility they could qualify. All the Black Bears can do now is wait.

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EASL Player of the Game: Samuel Deguara — Macau Black Bears

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Samuel Deguara dominated the paint on Wednesday, leading Macau to victory with an impressive 24 points and 19 rebounds. Despite being matched up against former NBA second-round pick Cady Lalanne, Deguara controlled the game near the basket, scoring in various ways, from put-back tip-ins to powerful dunks.

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It was Deguara’s dominant inside presence that kept Macau in the game and ultimately helped eliminate the reigning KBL champions. Deguara also shot an efficient 73.3% from the field and grabbed eight offensive rebounds.

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Stat of the Game: 39

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Macau’s 39 three-point attempts set a season-high over their six regular season games. This mark ranks as the third-most three-point attempts in a single game this season, trailing only the Hiroshima Dragonflies (44) and Suwon KT Sonicboom (50).

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The Black Bears generated numerous open looks from beyond the arc, largely due to their fast-paced transition play. Much of this stemmed from rebounds, with floor general Damian Chong Qui pushing the tempo and finding shooters in the corners.

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Despite the volume, Macau struggled with efficiency from three, shooting just 30.8% from deep. Guard Jamal Mayali notably went 0-for-9 from beyond the arc. However, the team’s confidence remained unshaken, and their 12 made three-pointers — regardless of how many they missed —  played a pivotal role in Wednesday’s victory.

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Next Games: 

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Busan KCC Egis

• Home vs. New Taipei Kings — Jan. 21, 2025

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Macau Black Bears

• The Macau Black Bears have completed all six of their regular season games for the 2024-25 EASL campaign.

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