NEW TAIPEI CITY — Taiwan Blue’s William Jones Cup title hopes came to a crashing halt after a powerful second-half performance from the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) handed the home side a 96-71 semifinal defeat on Saturday.
The final score, however, tells only part of the story.
Taiwan Blue weathered an early storm after UC Irvine raced to a 10-0 lead, battling back to level the game 19-19 after the opening quarter. The Taiwanese side remained competitive at halftime, trailing by just seven points, before the American collegiate team took control after the break and pulled away for a convincing 25-point victory.
A Competitive Start Turns Into a Second-Half Collapse
Despite being shorthanded, Taiwan Blue showed plenty of fight early on. Young players Song Xin-hao and Kuo Chun-yen helped keep the hosts within striking distance, while the team refused to buckle after UC Irvine’s blistering start.
But the momentum shifted dramatically in the second half.
UC Irvine’s outside shooting proved devastating, with the Anteaters hitting 14 of 26 three-point attempts. They also dominated the battle for second-chance opportunities, with local sports outlet TSNA reporting a massive 21-6 advantage in offensive rebounds.
The third quarter proved decisive. UC Irvine outscored Taiwan Blue heavily during the period and built a 75-55 lead entering the fourth quarter, effectively putting the semifinal out of reach.
For UC Irvine, the victory continued an impressive tournament run. The American squad had already completed pool play unbeaten and entered the knockout stage as one of the competition’s strongest teams.
Injuries and a Short Bench Take Their Toll
Taiwan Blue coach Gianluca Tucci pointed to the physical toll on his depleted squad after the game. According to UDN, Taiwan Blue had only 10 available players, with two playing through injuries.
The team competed strongly while its energy held up, but fatigue became increasingly evident as the game wore on.
The absence of naturalized center Brandon Gilbeck also hurt Taiwan Blue’s interior defense, leaving the team vulnerable against UC Irvine’s size and rebounding.
Individual performances offered some encouragement despite the defeat. Kuo Chun-yen scored 17 points, while Song Xin-hao added 14 points and three steals. Raymond Lin contributed a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, according to TSNA.
The Semifinal Appearance That Sparked a Bigger Debate
The loss has also renewed attention on one of the tournament’s biggest talking points: the controversial competition format.
Taiwan Blue reached the semifinals despite winning only one game during the preliminary stage, under an arrangement that guaranteed the host representative a place in the final four. The format drew criticism because teams with stronger preliminary records were left outside the semifinal bracket.
Tucci, however, distanced himself from the controversy, saying he was not involved in organizing the tournament and was therefore not in a position to comment on the format.
He explained that his desire to see Taiwan’s Blue and White teams meet in a meaningful game was driven by the opportunity to give fans a more exciting matchup—but the semifinal defeat means Taiwan Blue’s championship dream is now over.
Taiwan Blue Now Faces a Final Test of Pride
Instead of competing for the Jones Cup title, Taiwan Blue moves into the third-place playoff, where it is set to face Taiwan White.
For Taiwan Blue, the final game offers a chance to finish the tournament on a positive note—and perhaps give home fans the Taiwan-versus-Taiwan showdown that Tucci had hoped would generate greater excitement.
For UC Irvine, meanwhile, the dominant victory sends the Anteaters into the championship game against South Korea’s Wonju DB Promy, capping an impressive run by the American university side at one of Asia’s most recognizable international basketball tournaments.
The Bottom Line
Taiwan Blue’s 96-71 defeat was not simply a case of one bad night. A depleted roster, fatigue, rebounding struggles and UC Irvine’s red-hot three-point shooting combined to turn a competitive first half into a painful 25-point loss.
But as the final whistle fades, another question remains louder than ever: Will the controversy surrounding this year’s Jones Cup format overshadow the basketball itself?
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