McDaniels, Brownlee lead Pelita Jaya to victory

Meralco’s KJ McDaniels PBA PHOTO

Former PBA import KJ McDaniels, fellow Americans JaQuori McLaughlin and Justin Brownlee joined hands in leading Pelita Jaya to an easy 88-67 victory over Prawira Harum Bandung to remain unbeaten and seal a spot in the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia) tournament proper on Wednesday night.

McLaughlin fired 24 points, while McDaniels was a bundle of energy on both ends of the floor and finished with 15 markers and 17 boards for the Indonesian club.

Pelita Jaya sped off to an early 29-11 lead and never looked back while playing before a local crowd at the BritAma Arena in Indonesia.

Brownlee, who just turned 36 last Monday, chipped in 10 points and six rebounds, the same output delivered by Brandon Jawato as Pelita Jaya stays unbeaten in the BCL Asia with a 5-0 record.

The team scored a three-game sweep of the opening round in Mongolia.

By earning a spot in the tournament proper, Pelita Jaya will be competing alongside the champions of the Japan B.League, Chinese Basketball Association, the Korean Basketball League, along with one PBA ballclub.

Pelita Jaya will try to extend its winning run by closing the Qualifiers with a win against the Hong Kong Eastern Basketball on Friday, April 26.