TPBL's Lioneers Miss Finals; Off-Season Focus on Retaining Star Player Kao Kuo-Hao

Taipei, May 16 (CNA) - In the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL), the Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers were defeated by the Formosa Dreamers 93-104 today, failing to advance to the championship series. General Manager Chang Shu-Jen stated that the team will make its best effort with utmost sincerity to retain star player Kao Kuo-Hao during the off-season. In the best-of-five TPBL playoff series, the Lioneers, facing elimination, played at home against the Dreamers, hoping to extend the series. However, they fell behind by more than 20 points after three quarters. Despite a fourth-quarter rally, they were unable to turn the game around, suffering a bitter home defeat and ending their season. The Lioneers have progressed from being at the bottom of the league last season to returning to the playoffs this year. Head Coach Wesam Al-Sous, in a post-game media interview, thanked the team family for a great season, noting that they broke outside skepticism and achieved their playoff goal despite being underestimated pre-season. Taking responsibility for not reaching the finals, Wesam stated that success is like a marathon. He emphasized that the team has built a culture and chemistry this season, and everyone must learn from their mistakes to become a stronger team. General Manager Chang Shu-Jen echoed Wesam's 'marathon theory,' stating that the Lioneers' return to the playoffs was not a fluke but built step-by-step. 'We will keep running, and I believe the players will be ready to achieve better results in the new season.' Star player Kao Kuo-Hao, who is in his contract year, had a sub-par performance in the playoffs. Chang Shu-Jen said the team will still do its utmost to retain Kao, is in close communication with him, and that Kao also wants to win a championship for Hsinchu. As for Coach Wesam, he is on a multi-year contract and may even receive an early extension next year. (Editor: Wu Su-jou) 1150516