| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam national basketball team recorded their first victory in the SEABA Pre-Qualifier for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup after defeating Cambodia 69-58 at Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand yesterday.
The win put them in a good position of finishing fifth in the six-member group ahead of their final game against Malaysia today.
With the game keenly poised at 5-5 in the first quarter, Brunei put their noses in front after an excellent three-pointer from Benjamin Sim before Chee Choun Lim converted two free throws to help his side establish a five-point lead.
However, a slip-up in the offensive allowed Cambodia a route back in the game after Anthony Dominic Dar executed a three-pointer and Dararithy Pheng levelled the scores with two points.
Brunei eventually took the first quarter 17-13 with Cambodia reducing the deficit with a 15-13 score in the second quarter.
Ahmad Termizi bin Haji Nordeen was in his sharpshooter mode with a repetition of three-pointers but on the other team Cambodia’s Dominic Dar was also equally effective with his treys.
Brunei’s Md Zainul Ashyraf bin Haji Hussin also powered his way with a set of two pointers to help his side gain distance.
Cambodia was rewarded with a well-earned two points after Sovannaroth Main avoided the ball from going out of the touchline and was duly collected by Dominic who picked out a teammate for the rest.
Brunei made a 7-0 run in the third quarter and looked on course to create a 10-point gap after forcing Cambodia into committing fouls for a free throw but somehow the latter managed to overtake the lead from them.
After both teams were locked 52-52, Benjamin took the initiative to help create distance following two consecutive three-pointers. Ahmad Termizi ensured that they were 10 points clear with Lim helping them with the push.
Lim closed the scoring with a free throw after he received contact midway up the court but by then with a 10-point gap and under a minute to go, the win was virtually guaranteed.