It was the sweetest of victories for Springwood native Angus Brandt, in the Australian Boomers Asia Cup win in Lebanon last week.
“It feels great to be able to win the Asia Cup in Australia's first year at the event and even sweeter to defeat one of the favourites of this year and years past,” the basketballer said of their grand final defeat of Iran.
The Boomers prevailed 79-56, Brandt scoring 10 points, eight rebounds, and battling valiantly against Iranian superstar Hamed Haddadi.
“It was a challenge, he's 7'2 [219cm] and weighs over 300lbs [136kg] but we planned perfectly how to use his weaknesses for our advantage, such as running the floor and forcing him to make turnovers,” Brandt said.
He expects the team’s win could make it difficult for the Boomers in the 2019 World Cup qualifying games in November. “Those game may be tougher now that teams have had a chance to see us play and may be better prepared for us,” the 27-year-old said.
Brandt, who also plays for Perth Wildcats, now turns his attention to preparing for the NBL season.
