| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam national basketball team suffered a heavy 120-37 loss to Thailand in their opening game of the SEABA Pre-Qualifier for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup at Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand yesterday.
The hosts raced into an 18-0 lead in the first quarter before Brunei showed momentum after notching a 7-0 run aided by Han Kwong Min finally putting the points on the board and Benjamin Sim converting a successful three-pointer and another two points.
However, Thailand, ranked 100th in the world, upped the notch and recorded three consecutive treys to firmly put them in the ascendancy leaving Brunei an uphill task even before the end of the first quarter.
Brunei fared a little bit better in the second quarter after ending with a 16-27 score, though the damage was mostly done in the second half.
Ahmad Termizi bin Haji Nordeen opened the shooting for Brunei after recording a three pointer before Benjamin contributed two points at the start of the second quarter.
With Nakorn Jaisanuk and Toby Tai Sathitsumpan hitting three pointers for fun, Thailand threatened to get away with a huge victory.
Thailand’s steely defence proved to hold similar level of difficulty as the offensive for the Bruneians with Chatpol Chungyampin showing his defensive abilities.
By the start of the third quarter, Ahmad Termizi was leading the points with nine and five in rebounds while Chee Choun Lim led the assists with two.
Brunei endured a disappointing period in the third quarter after Thailand registered 21 consecutive points with Tyler Lamb contributing seven of those during that spell.
The sequence was finally broken after Benjamin outmuscled the Thai defence but the superiority of the hosts was unquestioned and Brunei only made another two points in vain.
Tyler’s attacking exploits in the third quarter catapulted him into the points’ leader-board with 15 points, overtaking Chanatip Jakrawan who previously managed 13 points.
The American-Thai star executed an audacious no look pass to Teerawat Chanthachon who produced an excellent layup as they blew their opponents away.
With the clock reading 47 seconds, Thailand was awarded two free throws with Chin Khai Khoo penalised for Brunei, enabling the hosts to complete the rout through Toby Tai.
Thailand’s Toby Tai swapped spots with Tyler at the end of the match after producing a game high of 25 points while Patiphan Klahan led the rebounds with eight.