Heo Hoon of Suwon KT shook off the pain from a wrist injury and even posed a problem for San Miguel in their opening match in the EASL.
Heo Hoon had ice strapped around his right wrist when he faced reporters at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 2.
It turned out, Heo played through pain in Suwon KT Sonicboom’s 87-81 win over San Miguel in the East Asia Super League opener.
Despite his predicament, he still managed to be his squad's second-best scorer with his 17 points next to Rayshaun Hammonds' game-best 39.
“He obviously felt some pain in the game and still in pain as well. But he’s a professional basketball player, so he got to do his job. He will try to recover fast and get some treatment and he’ll be fine,” said Heo through an interpreter.
The former Korean Basketball League Most Valuable Player also produced nine assists and three steals.
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But it was Hammonds who did most of the damage for the Sonicboom.
Hammonds anchored a decisive 12-2 rally in the final 5:23, pouring seven points there that turned a narrow 75-73 lead to a comfortable 87-75 advantage entering the last two minutes of the match.
The former NBA G League player also had 14 rebounds, two assists and two steals in a stellar play that gave the Sonicboom the headstart in Group A.
Huiwon Han added 14 points while Yungi Ha had nine markers.
“We could have won a lot easier, but we started rusty. The reason is it’s the first time our American players playing together on the floor,” Heo said, referring to Hammonds and Jeremiah Tilmon.
The Beermen did not look like one cohesive unit in the loss, relying on iso plays most of the match.
Only EJ Anosike and June Mar Fajardo finished in double figures for San Miguel.
Anosike churned out 34 points, seven rebounds four assists and two steals while Fajardo turned in 19 points and nine boards.