PASAY CITY, PHILIPPINES – The KT Suwon Sonicboom defeated the San Miguel Beermen on their home floor, 87-81, in the East Asia Super League’s (EASL) tip-off event at the Mall of Asia Arena here on Wednesday night.

The Sonicboom trailed by 4 at halftime, 39-43, but unleashed a huge third-quarter run to take the lead and then sustained it in the 4th quarter when the Beermen tried to make a late run in the game.

The Koreans were led by American import Rayshaun Hammonds who had 39 points and 14 rebounds, while team captain Heo Hoon added 17.

Beermen import EJ Anosike led the charge for the home team with 34 points, including 23 in the first half as Suwon head coach Song Young-Jin praised his ability to score and made the necessary adjustments to stop him in the second half. 

“We were unable to stop [Anosike] in the first half after he torched us for 23 points, so we did the necessary adjustments in the second half by switching another man – a bigger defender on him to limit his production and that’s how we survived them and won the game,” the Korean head coach said.

The Sonicboom will move to 1-0 and face Taiwan’s Taoyuan Pauian Pilots at home on October 16 while PH reps San Miguel aim to bounce back and grab their first win in their next scheduled game on November 13 still at home against the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots.