Off-season Games Wrap: Koppens crowned Championship MVP, Daniels claims Gold

With the NBL1 South Championship up for grabs, Melbourne United’s stars put on a show.

In an epic contest, the Sandringham Sabres erased a 17 point lead to take down the Melbourne Tigers on Saturday evening, with Development Player Tom Koppens claiming the game’s MVP.

The forward did a bit of everything in the contest, finishing with 26 points, 15 rebounds and four assists.

The only man to tally more points than Koppens was Malith Machar, who cashed in on five triples on his way to 28 points.

Fabijan Krslovic was solid off the bench, adding six points and seven rebounds, while Assistant Coach David Barlow splashed four of his five looks from beyond the arc.

For the Tigers, Tom Wilson, who had the night before been named MVP for the NBL1 South season, fought valiantly, scoring 17 points.

The Sabres will now advance to the NBL1 National Finals, which will take place at Southern Cross Stadium, Tuggeranong from 29-31 August.

While Dash Daniels wasn’t able to finish his campaign with Sandringham, the Next Star’s time with the Australian Boomers has ended with a Gold Medal following a one-point victory on Monday morning.

RESULTS

Wednesday

Australia 84 def Philippines 60 (FIBA Asia Cup)
Daniels - 1 point, 2 rebounds

Saturday

Sandringham 99 def Melbourne 80 (NBL1 South)
Koppens - 26 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block
Machar - 28 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks
Krslovic - 6 points, 7 rebounds
Wilson - 17 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals

Australia 92 def Iran 48 (FIBA Asia Cup)
Daniels - 3 points, 1 assist, 1 steal

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Photo - Trent Moore