Jeremy Lin stars as New Taipei Kings hold off Meralco Bolts in EASL

Host New Taipei leaned on the steady playmaking and timely sniping of imports Kenny Manigault and Hayden Blankley as the Kings subdued the visiting Meralco Bolts, 97-92 for their second straight win in the 2023-24 East Asia Super League home-and-away tournament on Wednesday night at the New Taipei Xinzhuang Gymnasium.

Lin dropped 17 of his team-high 25 points in the opening half, before facilitating the Kings’ offense in the second half, finding the open man that allowed the Taiwanese squad to outscore the Bolts, 32-26 in the last quarter en route to the win.

The 35-year-old Lin’s vast NBA experience carried New Taipei against a Meralco side that held a slim 66-65 lead entering the final period despite playing without injured Allein Maliksi and Aaron Black.

Lin went 11-of-12 from the foul line, while adding seven assists, four rebounds and two steals, mocking the defense of Meralco wingman Chris Newsome.

Manigault also churned out a double-double effort of 19 points and 11 rebounds, along with six assists while Blankley chipped in 15, highlighted by three triples.

Christian Anigwe had eight, while hauling down 14 rebounds, providing the solid inside presence as he prevented Meralco’s big import Prince Ibeh from dominating the post.

American Zach Lofton, filling in for Nigerian-American Suleiman Braimoh, who is still dealing with visa issues, had a solid debut for Meralco in the EASL with 35 points, highlighted by six triples, to go along with five rebounds.

Ibeh added 18 points, six rebounds, three blocks and the same number of steals for Meralco, which dropped to 0-2 in the regional tournament.

Newsome and Anjo Caram scored 16 and 10 points, respectively for Meralco, which will return to EASL action on December 13 in a rematch against the Ryukyu Golden Kings at the Studio City Event Center in Macau.