| Fadhil Yunus |
TSL produced a superb showing in the fourth quarter to beat YTE 85-77 to remain top of Group ‘A’ in the men’s Open category of the Low San Brunei Open at the Brunei Basketball Association Court in Batu Bersurat last night.
YTE threatened to swap places in the top-of-the-table clash after leading 64-61 in the penultimate quarter, having also led in the second quarter.
TSL are now firm favourites to finish top of the group after recording eight points while YTE could still fancy their chances of securing a top two finish despite surrendering their first loss.
YTE built the foundations to change the landscape of Group ‘A’ after a combination of good defence and smooth transition of play amid signs of a fightback from the stubborn TSL in the third quarter.
With little separating the two teams heading into the third quarter, Matthew Jerickson continued to rack up the points for YTE with his first contribution in the second period.
However, TSL recovered some lost ground as Ricardo Eliseo set up a couple of points before Sunday Megllion made a similar move to put his team on the comeback trail.
But YTE were dangerous with their break and they found themselves in a three-on-one situation as they raced to a six-point lead.
YTE survived a scare after Ting Heng Lee’s pass was short which enabled TSL to regain possession, but their opportunity slipped after a ball into the frontcourt went out of play. But he soon made amends for his unpunished error after winning the ball on defence.
YTE’s Tony Bong pulled off one of the highlights of the game after beating the defence and helping his team establish a seven-point lead.
Sensing the danger from TSL, Jerickson and Ting Heng Lee were summoned to the court.
But it was Samuel Jong who came to the team’s aid with a three-pointer after weathering the TSL storm.
Having seen YTE coming out on top, especially in the last two quarters, TSL won the tie in the final quarter by accumulating 24 points compared to YTE’s haul of 13.