| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Beruang Blazers ensured that a memorable night for the Brunei public was extended to the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex after clinching the Grand Borneo Invitational Challenge title following a 77-67 win over Kuching Lord Tiger last night.
The host captain Benjamin Sim cuts to the middle and made a nice basket at the start of the fourth quarter as Muhd Zainul Ashyraf bin Haji Hussin collected the rebound after an attempted layup was no good for Kuching Lord Tiger.
Beruang import Jeff Viernes took the option of a cross court pass for three-pointer specialist Choo Yung Jian whose shot for a trey was met without success before Muhd Zainul Ashyraf made a nice hustle.
The Lord Tiger captain found a teammate who made a late attempt for a basket to get into the board at the start of the second quarter.
It was the work of another import Raymar Jose that helped increase the home team’s lead and could have been more after unluckily stepping on the line meaning only two points was awarded instead of the desired three.
Lord Tiger hits back shortly after getting the ball back in play with Collado Jesse James in inspiring form responded with a nice move.
Viernes made a superb individual play before passing it for Yung Jian who was on the receiving end of a foul, but the player spurned opportunities after missing his free throws.
Jose raced into the court but unfortunately his shot hits the rim before number 16 converted a three pointer.
Jose ensured that they took two more points after converting his shot in the next move as Beruang restored possession.
The Beruang captain sank another three pointers as his side re-established their double-digit lead.
Collado made a nice strong move to sink the two points before a pass to the outside intended for Ben Sim ended in the captain pulling his shot slightly too hard.
The favourites executed an alley-oop courtesy of Lee Joon Kang as they cut down the lead to nine points.
Viernes made the three pointers despite the best efforts for Joon Kang who was guarding him before Ben Sim missed an opportunity to make another two points.
Beruang applied full court pressure as Lord Tiger tried to seize control as Collado made a high difficulty shot over the imposing figure of Raymar Jose.
Viernes threw the ball back into the middle of the court but it was too heavy for Ben Sim whose pass only landed at the hands of a Lord Tiger who charged forward to make the two pointers.
Lord Tiger, who held a perfect win record in the preliminary rounds, finished strongly as they reduced the gap to just six points heading into the third quarter.
Joon Kang made a nice move with a neat layup before Yung Jian won a foul with Lord Tiger’s number 4 getting too excited with the contact.
Yung Jian was awarded the free throws and received the applause of the crowd and Bobby hade a good read to retrieve the ball back.
Viernes ghosted his way into the chasing pack to make the two pointers and made another good play which did not reap its rewards though Jose was on the right place to steer the basket home.
Andy Jong made a good shot before a long throw was picked up by Zainul who assisted Jose who made the right connection to guide the ball into the basket.
But Lord Tiger’s Andy Jong reduced the lead to just six points following an accurate three-pointer from their young talent.
Andy flew and finished down the move following a good hustle to cut the lead to four before Viernes continued where he left off with another two pointers.
Beruang forced the pressure out of Bobby who lost the ball indicating the hosts’ good defensive play.
The quick hands of Andy helped him cut inside but could not find the basket before Jose advanced deep into the court to make another two points and opened up an eight-point lead.
Viernes rose past two markers to sink the two pointers and won bonus with the free throws though he missed the last of his throw.
Viernes showed good agility to own the ball before running into the centre and despite the shot falling short; Jose was on hand to tap the ball in.
Beruang were spot on with their defence but unfortunately after Ben tried to pass the ball to Zainul the latter lost control of the ball allowing Lord Tiger to break as Collado swept up a fine finishing move.
Collado made a good play and despite losing the ball he somehow received it after Jose missed his shot and with Ben Sim floored after his nice attempt for a good hustle.
Ben Sim missed an attempted three pointers but fortunately the ball kindly to his direction and invaded space to sink the ball for a couple of points.
Jose was left alone for an easy basket as they took a double-digit lead before the fellow import Viernes made another two points as the race for the MVP heats up.
It was supposedly bread and butter for Lord Tiger but was unable to finish and good defensive play thwarted Jay for two points before the visiting player took one valuable point.
Collado won free throws off Benjamin Sim and made one of the two shots and as soon as Beruang got hold off the ball Jose slowed the game down and Han Ming Kwang did a good job with hustling work to keep the ball with his team.
Collado helped trim down the lead to nine points before Jamri Ramlee lifted the pressure off the defence with two points to his team.
Andy made three pointers and with four minutes of the clock remaining Beruang had the upper hand with eight point lead but still not clear from danger.
Jose attempted for a tough shot but missed it before clinically finishing the rebound as Beruang were made to work in defence yet again.
Jose spun and ensured that he won the basket and won the free throws and consequently taking the pressure of his team.
It was the perfect parting gift for Brunei Beruang Blazers head coach Rabboni Rosito whose contract ended last night.
The head coach dedicated the victory not only to the team but also to the whole of Brunei.
“I hope that their success will be recognised and hopefully this win will help to promote basketball.
“Everybody levelled up. Maturity wise, they are already mature enough and hopefully they will be consistent and stay humble all the time.
“They must work hard because this will not be the only tournament and there will be many more tournaments to come,” the Filipino concluded.
Miri King Kong finished third in the tournament after winning the bronze match against Pontianak Vois while Beruang’s Jeff Viernes collected the Most Valuable Player award.
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