Champs Summerstars too hot to handle

A STRONG move to the basket by Yeo Chun Kiat to score with less than 20 seconds left in the game helped Summerstars complete a comeback to defeat 88 Trading Company 65-63 in the final at the Kg Baru basketball court in Seria last night and be crowned champions of the Brunei Youth Basketball Championship Under-18 tournament.

Captain Yeo and Kho Zhe Hou each contributed 19 points for Summerstars. On the other hand, Foo Gwen Tong and Chen Wee Nien each poured in 17 points for a losing cause.

"I dont think we played as well tonight (Sunday) but I thought it was our teamwork that won us the game despite not having any practice sessions prior to the tournament," said Yeo.

"I guess it was our hardwork and our supporters that helped us to victory," added the captain.

88 Trading Company started out the better of the two as they were playing defence, closing out the cutting lanes and double teaming when needed. They were also quick in the fastbreaks department and these factors helped them to carry an 18-11 lead into the second quarter.

Summerstars had the height and size advantage to deal with the boards. However, 88 Trading Co had a better passing game that gave them open looks.

Meanwhile, Summerstars were having trouble executing on offence with little ball movement but managed to keep the game close down 28-33 at halftime.

88 Trading Co pushed the ball quickly up the court on each possession as they extended their lead to double digits led by Foo and Chen in the third quarter.

Down 50-40 in the final period, Summerstars didn't give up as they mounted a comeback. Yeo quickly took charge and they grabbed the lead for the first time half way through the final period at 57-56 with a successful free throw.

Both teams exchanged baskets in the final minutes of the game, but the turn in fortunes occurred when 88 Trading Co's joint top scorer Foo had to be substituted due to injury after scoring his team's last five points.

A prayer shot by Wong Ha Shiong then bounced off the back of the rim as Summerstars took the crown.

In the third-place playoff, Awesome came up on top with an 84-71 victory over Aii Sdn Bhd. Hung Jiunn Nan had 25 points and Tang Siang Thai had 20 points for Awesome. For Aii, Nicholas Wijayakusama Horas and Lim Yi Chen contributed 13 points each.The Brunei Times