| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam national basketball team suffered their second successive defeat in the SEABA Pre-Qualifier for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 after losing 116-54 to Indonesia at the Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand yesterday.
The national team fared better in the first quarter compared to their previous showing against Thailand when they limited their opposition to a number of points and also scored more having trailed 30-15.
Buoyed by signs of positivity, Brunei showed competitiveness in the second quarter after trailing by 16-23 but Indonesia asserted their dominance in the second half leading 34-11 and 29-12 to close an emphatic win.
Brunei captain Benjamin Sim continued his individual form from the first game after leading the points chart for his country finishing with 19 while Indonesia’s Andakara Prastawa Dhyaksa produced a game high of 21 points.
Brunei’s Md Zainul Ashyraf Haji Hussin also contributed with 13 points in a losing effort for his country and earned the recognition as top performer after an efficiency rating of +14.
Ahmad Termizi bin Haji Nordeen was one of the instrumental figures for Brunei after completing four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Kian Leong Soon made one block in the remaining statistical category.
Meanwhile in other matches, the game of the night involved unbeaten sides Thailand and Singapore as the hosts emerged victorious in overtime after prevailing 83-77.
Malaysia bounced back from their opening-day defeat against Indonesia with a comprehensive 104- 43 win over Cambodia.
Brunei will return to the court today against Singapore while Thailand look to preserve their perfect record against Malaysia and Indonesia will meet winless Cambodia.