| Fadhil Yunus |
YTE emerged champions of the YOU-C 1000 Basketball Cup after a hard-fought 80-77 win over Fu Zhou Shiyyi Association in an enthralling final at the Brunei Basketball Association Court in Batu Bersurat last night.
YTE foreign import Udun Osakue started the points rolling for his side and his heroics was equally matched by Fu Zhou Shiyyi Association’s own foreign import Mike Fey.
Terrell Carter of YTE found the Fu Zhou defence tough to break but in the end managed to find a way to make a two-pointer before Lim Aik Hock extended his side’s lead.
Osakue cleverly left the ball behind with Carter behind in a move which took a few Fu Zhou players out of the equation who were defending the former allowing the latter with the simplest of tasks to guide the ball into the hoop.
He continued his individual brilliance with a fine assist for Eric Navarro before Fu Zhou responded with a two-point play through Lim Liang Wei.
Wei looked destined to bury a two-pointer but a crucial block denied him and subsequently a fast break occurred as Osakue ferried another wonderful assist which was gleefully accepted by E Requintin.
However, Fu Zhou finished strongly at the end of the first quarter as Josh White made a five-point play to ensure that both sides enter the second quarter locked at 20-20.
White had called for the ball which he accepted from a pass by Don Mordeno and his fine work resulted in another trey with virtually no time left on the clock.
Osakue started the second quarter in a similar fashion as the first after he was left with an empty court before winning a rebound at the other end of the court illustrating his all-around play.
Fey powered his way into the painted area to ensure his team draw level before Carter made two points amid pressure from Fey.
Carter won his side a free throw with the insurance of a two-point play to extend his team’s lead to four points.
YTE raced to a 14-point lead heading into the second half which was the widest margin that they had established all game after Osakue dropped a three-pointer.
However, that advantage was spectacularly wiped out following a combination of resurgence and high attacking intensity from Fu Zhou Shiyyi Association, who like YTE hold an unbeaten record in the final.
Wei was at the centre of action epitomising his qualities of enticing the YTE defence into giving away fouls as the margin slowly decreased.
The momentum clearly swung in the favour of Fu Zhou and despite Wei finding out that there is no access with Carter and Shim Jan Ting in his sights, his team received better news throw back-to-back three-pointers from White and Fey as their deficit withered down to just one.
It got better than that as Fu Zhou led the match for the first time as Fey dropped a three-pointer with YTE now in trouble.
Fu Zhou was awarded a penalty after Navarro was adjudged to have committed a foul on Mordeno who took maximum points to help his side into a one-point lead with 20 seconds of the third quarter to go.
Fey saw a three-pointer sink to ensure his side enter the final stanza carrying a four-point lead.
Osakue again started the fourth quarter with the first points but Fey continued his hot streak with another three pointer as his side enjoyed a five-point lead.
YTE’s Shim Jan Ting was sharp with his shooting as he let go maximum free throws and another one in his next visit to keep his side in with a shout.
Mordeno turned on the style with a three-pointer to help his side regain a five-point lead but Osakue came back to remind them that they were still in the mood.
White then converted another three-pointer as Fu Zhou jumped into a six-point lead but Osakue found Carter with a nicely-crafted pass to end the consecutive run of points for their opponents.
Lim Aik Hock capitalised on a loose ball to put his side two points away from catching Fu Zhou but Wei came up with the goods to bring his team in front by four.
However, YTE finally found a route back into the match courtesy of a two-pointer by Osakue after being left wide open with an empty court having initially made two points for his team in his previous visit at the offensive end of the court.
Osakue made a crucial block to prevent Wei from making two points and in the other end Requintin helped his side to a five-point lead with the clock reading 00:39.
Wei made the last shot for Fu Zhou but it was too late as time ran out as Requintin got the ball on the other end of the court hence confirming YTE as champions.
Meanwhile, Udun Osakue of YTE scooped the Best Player award, while Teo & Sons defeated Easyway 90-87 to clinch third place in the tournament.
Managing Director of Hui Huang Enterprise Hii Hua King presented the prizes.