| James Kon |
UNFANCIED Temburong were crowned champions of the 5.11 National Day Basketball Tournaments after narrowly defeating favourites KB 81-79.
KB, who went into the game with seven points, needed a win to capture the title but Temburong’s Edmond Tan had other plans.
With the game tied at 79 points, Edmond killed stole the ball with seven seconds on the clock and passed the ball to Liew Tau Fu, who duly scored the winning points.
Edmond, who finished the game with a high of 37 points,paid tribute to his team’s fighting spirit.
“It was a team effort. We never gave up. We knew that we could catch up if they missed shots or turned the ball over.”
KB coach Wong, meanwhile, said his players lost because “they were nervous”.
Brunei-Muara A, who could have won the title had they won they last game, also faltered at the last hurdle.
The champions in a group photo. – JAMES KON
They came up short against Brunei-Muara B, who won 77-71.
Tan Kun Hor of Brunei-Muara B was the hero of the team, scoring 17 points including eight crucial points in the final quarter.
Kwang Ming Heng, Chairman of Brunei Basketball Association, presented the prizes.
Peter Chen, head coach of Brunei Basketball Association and Brunei-Muara A, said, “Aside from providing competition experience to our young players, this tournament has helped us identify a number of youth players with great potential. Our coaches and selection committee will be inviting players to national squad training.”
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