I still remember the first time I watched Eastern Long Lions play - it was during that nail-biting semifinal against Macau Black Bears last season. The energy in the Southorn Stadium was absolutely electric, with fans roaring every time the Lions went on one of their signature fast breaks. What struck me most wasn't just their athleticism, but this incredible sense of unity they displayed on court. You could tell these players weren't just teammates - they genuinely trusted each other's decisions in those crucial moments. That's when I realized we were witnessing something special brewing in Hong Kong's basketball scene.
Fast forward to this ABL season, and the Lions have transformed from promising contenders to absolute dominators. They've won 14 of their last 16 games, including that spectacular comeback against Singapore Slingers where they overturned a 15-point deficit in the final quarter. I've been following ABL for five seasons now, and I've never seen a team maintain such consistent performance while dealing with the grueling travel schedule that comes with playing across Southeast Asia. Their recent victory against Westports Malaysia Dragons particularly stood out - the Lions were down by 8 points with just three minutes remaining, but their defense tightened up so dramatically that the Dragons couldn't even get a clean shot off in their final possessions.
What really separates Eastern Long Lions from other teams, in my opinion, is their strategic approach to closing out games. They seem to have this sixth sense for when to push the tempo and when to slow things down. Remembering Perez's comments about the Beermen being relieved to avoid a Game 7 situation, it makes me appreciate how the Lions have mastered this art of finishing series efficiently. Just last month, they wrapped up their quarterfinal matchup in five games, saving themselves from the physical and mental exhaustion of a prolonged series. This strategic preservation might just be their secret weapon as we approach the championship rounds.
Their coaching staff deserves massive credit too. I had the chance to attend one of their practice sessions earlier this season, and the attention to detail was remarkable. They were running drills specifically designed for end-game scenarios - something most teams practice but not with the same intensity the Lions bring. The players told me they often stay after regular practice to work on free throws and last-second plays. This commitment shows during actual games - their free throw percentage in the final two minutes stands at an impressive 89%, compared to the league average of 76%.
The team's chemistry is something you can't quantify with statistics but becomes obvious when you watch them play. Take their point guard, for instance - he knows exactly when to feed the ball to their star center in the post versus when to take the outside shot himself. This isn't something that develops overnight; it comes from countless hours of practice and building genuine connections off the court. I've noticed they often hang out together after games, whether grabbing dinner or just chatting in the locker room. That camaraderie translates directly to their performance during high-pressure situations.
Looking at their remaining schedule, I'm particularly excited about their upcoming home game against Thailand's Hi-Tech Bangkok City. The Lions have this incredible 22-game winning streak at home that dates back to last season. As someone who's attended most of their home games, I can tell you the crowd plays a huge role in this - the Southorn Stadium becomes this cauldron of noise that genuinely rattles visiting teams. I've seen opponents miss free throws and commit unforced errors simply because they couldn't handle the pressure from the stands.
Their dominance isn't just about winning games though - it's about how they're winning. The Lions lead the league in assists per game (28.4) and defensive rebounds (35.2), which tells you they're playing unselfish basketball while controlling the boards effectively. These might sound like boring statistics, but when you watch them execute those crisp passes and fight for every loose ball, you understand why they're so successful. Personally, I think their ability to share the scoring load makes them particularly dangerous - they have six players averaging double figures, meaning opponents can't just focus on stopping one or two stars.
As we approach the business end of the season, I can't help but feel optimistic about the Lions' championship prospects. Having covered this league for several years, I've learned to recognize when a team has that special combination of talent, strategy, and chemistry that separates champions from mere contenders. The Eastern Long Lions check all these boxes and then some. While anything can happen in playoff basketball - injuries, bad shooting nights, or just plain bad luck - something tells me this might finally be Hong Kong's year to lift the ABL trophy. The way they've been playing, I wouldn't be surprised if they wrap up the finals without needing a Game 7, much like Perez described with the Beermen. Sometimes, the mark of a truly great team isn't just winning, but knowing how to finish the job efficiently when it matters most.