| James Kon |
BRUNEI men’s basketball team have made their stable rise in the region’s basketball scene after winning the Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam Challenge Trophy at the 2018 Borneo City Basketball Invitation Tournament yesterday.
Held at the Brunei Basketball Association Basketball Court in Batu Bersurat, the team outplayed Miri 80-64 in the final to lift the trophy for the second time. Brunei first won the trophy in 2011.
Benjamin Norman Sim was the tournament’s MVP after contributing 38 points for the team including six three-pointers, while Captain Choo Yung Jian had 13 points.
“I was with Han Ming Kwang, Soon Kian Leong, Lim Chee Choun, Lim Aik Hock and Choo Yung Jian when we won the championship and we did it together again this time. It’s always fun to play together again,” Benjamin said.
On the match against Miri, he said, “They were a tough team but we have some good mix of young and senior guys. It’s good for us to win this time but we hope that we can continue to win in this tournament.”
Benjamin hailed their recent participation in the FIBA Asia Cup in Thailand, which he said helped the team’s chemistry.
“We have a little bit of chemistry playing together after coming back from the recent the SEABA Pre-Qualifier for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup in Thailand. And we had three weeks with Coach Damian. It has really helped us.”
Asked on the potential and future of the national team, he said, “I will continue to train and keep fit. I hope BBA will continue to develop young talents. I am getting old and I am just happy to be able to play and contribute to the team.”
From the start, Brunei dominated the match with much credit to playmaker Choo Yung Jian who managed to intercept passes and steals from the opponents. Brunei took a six-point lead after the first quarter with Benjamin Sim having his hot-shooting streak of 13 points in the 10-minute quarter.
Miri couldn’t find their rhythm to score in the second quarter as their offences were limited by a strong Brunei defence. They scored eight points in the 10-minute quarter. Brunei took a commanding lead of 20 points by the end of the second quarter with the score 44-24.
After the interval, Miri team mounted a comeback thanks to Kuan Shean Lin’s impressive shooting spree who hit two three-pointers. But Brunei team held off the resurgence with team efforts in offensive prowess.
In the fourth quarter, Miri Deployed its full court press strategy and forced Brunei to turn over the ball and score. Brunei’s lead was cut to 14 points at some point in the fourth quarter. However, Miri couldn’t sustain the intensity and Brunei held on for the win.
Coach Dave Riemer of Miri commented after the game, “Our starting point guard Samuel took some medicine that has affected his game today. Nobody told me about his condition until he was substituted three minutes after tip off. He was out of his game and we rely on him as the leader of the game.
“We have been training for three weeks and we have to make the best of the time that we have. We didn’t establish a starting five until five days ago. Brunei team has talents and has many skilled players and they are well-coached. Our guys were not ready to play today against a better team.”
Brunei coach Lim Boon Teck also praised NBA G-League assistant coach Damian Cotter who spent three weeks of coaching clinic with the men’s team. Lim singled out how his contributions have affected his team’s mentality and confidence.
“I want to mention that aside from our coaches and players, Damian has played a key role in our men’s team winning the Borneo Cup today. His philosophy and gameplay which he taught us were put to good use today,” the head coach said.
Meanwhile, Miri veteran team beat Brunei veteran team 68-61 to win the Dato Dr Yee Moh Chai Chellege Trophy. In the Women Category, Kota Kinabalu thrashed Brunei 102-44 to win the Tan Che Eu Challenge Trophy.
The prizes were presented by the organising chairman of the competition On Wei Yeah.